Study reveals cannabis compounds reduce threat of fatty liver disease

By Stephen Beech

Cannabis compounds reduces the threat of potentially deadly fatty liver disease, according to new research.

Naturally occurring chemicals found in the drug can "significantly" cut liver fat and cholesterol levels and improve the body's ability to efficiently process energy, say scientists.

The study reveals that two key cannabis compounds work by creating a backup energy reserve in the liver and restoring the activity of cellular "cleaning crews" to break down harmful waste.

Researchers in Israel say their findings, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, highlight a new, plant-based path for treating the world’s most common chronic liver disorder.

The study suggests that Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG), which are non-psychoactive and do not cause a high, can improve liver health by changing how the vital organ manages energy and cleans itself.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, is currently the world's most common chronic liver disorder.

It affects around one-in-three adults and is closely linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.

While lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise are important, they can be hard to maintain, and there are few approved medicines currently available for the condition.

Study leader Professor Joseph Tam said: "Our findings identify a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic energy and lysosomal function.

"This dual metabolic remodelling contributes to improved liver lipid handling and highlights these compounds as promising therapeutic agents for MASLD".

His team used advanced tools to show that CBD and CBG do more than just reduce fat.

They found the compounds actually help the liver function better internally through a unique process of "metabolic remodeling".

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Tam, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: "One of the most important findings was the impact on the liver's energy reserves.

"These compounds increase levels of phosphocreatine, which acts like a backup battery to help the liver stay healthy under the stress caused by a high-fat diet.

"This is a new discovery, as the liver does not usually rely heavily on this specific energy system."

The researchers also found that CBD and CBG restore the activity of cathepsins - enzymes that act like a "cleaning crew" within the cell's recycling centres, known as lysosomes.

Tam said: "By getting this cleaning crew back to work, the liver is better able to break down and clear out harmful fats and waste."

The researchers also found that both treatments significantly reduced harmful lipids - such as triglycerides and ceramides.

Ceramides are particularly dangerous because they are known to contribute to insulin resistance and liver inflammation.

The study showed that while both compounds were effective, they each provided slightly different benefits for metabolic health.

Tam said: "Both CBD and CBG were able to normalize blood sugar levels and improve how the body clears glucose.

"However, CBG appeared to have a more pronounced effect on certain metrics.

"It significantly reduced body fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity more robustly than CBD.

"CBG was also particularly effective at lowering total cholesterol and 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels."

While the results are encouraging, the researchers say further studies are needed to understand how the findings can best be applied to human patients.

Tam added: "This study opens a new path for using plant-based compounds to treat metabolic diseases by focusing on how cells manage energy and waste."