Scientists have discovered that two natural compounds found in cannabis may help reduce fat in the liver and improve overall metabolic health.
These compounds are called cannabidiol, usually shortened to CBD, and cannabigerol, known as CBG.
Unlike the well-known compound THC, which causes the “high” associated with cannabis, CBD and CBG do not produce intoxicating effects.
This makes them especially interesting to medical researchers who are searching for new treatments that are both safe and effective.
A research team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel recently studied how these two compounds affect the liver. The study was led by Professor Joseph (Yossi) Tam together with Dr. Liad Hinden and PhD researcher Radka Kočvarová at the School of Pharmacy in the university’s Faculty of Medicine.
Their findings were published in the scientific journal British Journal of Pharmacology. The research suggests that CBD and CBG may help the liver function better by changing how liver cells handle energy and remove harmful waste products.
Fatty liver disease, now called metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD, is currently the most common chronic liver disease in the world. It occurs when too much fat builds up in the liver.
Over time, this excess fat can damage liver cells and lead to inflammation, scarring, and serious health problems. MASLD is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and problems with how the body processes sugar. Doctors estimate that about one out of every three adults may have some level of this condition.
Despite how common it is, treatment options are still limited. Doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising more, and improving diet. These changes can be very effective, but many people find them difficult to maintain over long periods of time.
There are also very few approved medicines specifically designed to treat fatty liver disease. For this reason, scientists are actively exploring new therapies that could support liver health. In this study, the researchers wanted to understand how CBD and CBG affect the liver at a cellular level.
They used advanced laboratory techniques to examine how these compounds change the way liver cells produce energy and process fats. The results showed that the compounds did more than simply reduce fat accumulation. They appeared to improve the overall function of liver cells through a process scientists call metabolic remodeling.
One of the most interesting discoveries involved the liver’s energy storage system. The researchers found that CBD and CBG increased levels of a molecule called phosphocreatine inside liver cells. Phosphocreatine works like a reserve battery that cells can use when they need extra energy.
This backup energy source helps cells continue working properly during stressful conditions, such as when the body is exposed to a high‑fat diet. The scientists explained that the liver normally does not depend heavily on this system, which made the discovery especially notable.
In addition to improving energy balance, the compounds also helped restore an important cellular cleaning process. Inside every cell are tiny structures called lysosomes. These structures act like recycling centers that break down waste materials so the cell can remove them. Special enzymes known as cathepsins work inside lysosomes to break apart unwanted substances.
The study found that CBD and CBG helped reactivate these enzymes. When cathepsins became active again, liver cells were better able to break down and remove harmful fats and other waste products. As a result, the researchers observed significant reductions in damaging fat molecules, including triglycerides and ceramides.
Ceramides are particularly harmful because they are strongly linked to inflammation and insulin resistance in the liver. Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells no longer respond properly to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. This problem is a major factor in both diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Interestingly, the researchers noticed that CBD and CBG did not affect the body in exactly the same way. Both compounds improved blood sugar control and helped the body process glucose more efficiently. However, CBG showed stronger improvements in several metabolic measurements.
It reduced body fat more effectively, improved insulin sensitivity, and lowered total cholesterol levels more than CBD. CBG also showed a greater ability to reduce levels of low‑density lipoprotein, often called LDL cholesterol or “bad” cholesterol. According to Professor Tam, these results reveal a new biological mechanism through which CBD and CBG support liver health.
He explained that the compounds appear to improve both the liver’s energy system and its ability to clear harmful materials. Together, these two processes help the liver manage fats more effectively and reduce metabolic stress. The researchers believe that this dual effect could make CBD and CBG promising candidates for future treatments for fatty liver disease.
However, the scientists emphasize that more research is still needed. The current study provides strong early evidence, but further work will be necessary to determine how these compounds affect human patients in clinical settings. Future studies may also explore safe dosage levels, long‑term effects, and whether these compounds could be developed into medicines.
When reviewing these findings, several important points stand out. First, the study highlights how plant‑derived compounds can influence complex metabolic systems inside the body. Second, it suggests that improving how cells store energy and remove waste may be an effective strategy for treating metabolic diseases.
Finally, the results provide encouraging evidence that non‑intoxicating cannabis compounds may have real medical potential. Even though much more research is required, this study opens a promising new direction for scientists working to treat fatty liver disease.
If future studies confirm these benefits in humans, CBD and CBG could eventually become part of new treatments designed to protect liver health and improve metabolic balance.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about simple habit that could give you a healthy liver, and common diabetes drug that may reverse liver inflammation.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about simple blood test that could detect your risk of fatty liver disease, and results showing this green diet may strongly lower non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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