New research suggests that compounds found in the cannabis plant – specifically cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) – may effectively reverse fatty liver disease in mice, without inducing psychoactive effects. The study, conducted by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reveals a novel mechanism through which these cannabinoids improve metabolic health.
Key Findings: Metabolic Remodeling at the Liver Level
The research indicates that both CBD and CBG significantly enhance blood sugar control, reduce liver fat accumulation, and lower blood lipid levels in obese mice. Surprisingly, these effects appear to operate largely outside the traditional cannabinoid receptor pathways typically associated with gut-liver communication. Instead, the compounds stimulate the liver to produce more phosphocreatine, a crucial energy reserve that supports cellular health and function.
After four weeks on a high-fat diet, mice treated with CBD or CBG showed restored liver function. CBG proved particularly potent, reducing body fat, lowering “bad” cholesterol (LDL), and dramatically increasing insulin sensitivity compared to CBD.
“Our findings identify a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic [liver] energy and lysosomal function,” explains Joseph Tam, the study’s senior author. “This dual metabolic remodeling contributes to improved liver lipid handling and highlights these compounds as promising therapeutic agents for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).”
The Rise of MASLD and the Search for Treatments
MASLD, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has surpassed alcohol-related liver disease as the most prevalent chronic liver disorder globally, affecting roughly one-third of adults. Unlike other forms of liver disease, MASLD is deeply intertwined with systemic metabolic dysfunction. This makes it a far more widespread and complex condition than previously understood.
The current lack of approved pharmacological treatments for MASLD underscores the urgency of finding new therapeutic options. Prior research has shown creatine supplementation can resolve MASLD, but can worsen alcohol-related liver disease. The new study builds on these results by showing that certain cannabis compounds may protect the liver by shifting energy toward phosphocreatine synthesis, clearing fats from the organ.
CBD, CBG, and the Future of Cannabis-Based Medicine
CBD is already a well-known compound in cannabis, with some studies indicating potential metabolic benefits. However, CBG, often called the “mother of all cannabinoids,” has recently emerged as an even more promising alternative. It metabolizes into both CBD and THC, but in its pure form does not produce a “high.”
This study is the first to demonstrate that phytocannabinoids can fundamentally reprogram hepatic energy buffering. However, whether these findings translate to humans remains uncertain. The current CBD market lacks rigorous regulation, and bioavailability through oral consumption may differ from direct injection, as was used in the study.
Further research is needed to understand how CBD and CBG interact with liver function and to develop a safe, easily administered drug that mimics their effects. The therapeutic gap in MASLD treatment demands innovative solutions, and cannabis compounds may offer a novel path forward.
