Cannabis Compounds Show Potential in Treating Widespread Metabolic Disorder

Cannabis Compounds Show Promise in Treating Common Liver Disease

Compounds found in cannabis could offer new treatment pathways for the world’s most common chronic liver disorder, according to groundbreaking research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, the study reveals that two non-intoxicating cannabis compounds—cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG)—significantly reduced liver fat accumulation and improved metabolic health in experimental models.

CBD is already widely studied for various therapeutic applications, while CBG is less familiar to most people. Researchers describe CBG as a “precursor” cannabinoid from which CBD is formed. Unlike THC, the psychoactive component that produces marijuana’s characteristic “high,” these compounds don’t cause intoxication—a crucial factor that makes them viable candidates for long-term medical treatments.

“Our findings identify a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic energy and lysosomal function,” explained Joseph Tam, lead study author and director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research at Hebrew University.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) currently affects approximately one-third of the global adult population. The condition, closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance, has few approved pharmaceutical treatments, leaving patients primarily dependent on lifestyle changes that many find difficult to maintain.

The research highlights a process called “metabolic remodeling,” where cannabis compounds created what researchers describe as a “backup battery” for the liver by increasing levels of phosphocreatine, a high-energy molecule typically stored in muscle cells. This energy reserve helps the organ function even under the stress of a high-fat diet—a discovery the team noted was unexpected.

Additionally, the researchers found that CBD and CBG restored the activity of “cellular cleaning crews” known as cathepsins, enzymes that work within the cell’s recycling centers to break down harmful fats and waste products. This restoration allowed the liver to more effectively clear dangerous lipids, including triglycerides and ceramides, which are known triggers of inflammation.

While both compounds showed effectiveness, CBG demonstrated more robust results in several important areas, such as reducing total body fat mass, lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and improving insulin sensitivity.

The discovery opens a promising new path for using plant-derived compounds to treat metabolic diseases by focusing on cellular energy management and waste disposal mechanisms.

Despite these encouraging findings, the research team emphasized that the study was conducted in controlled experimental conditions. Clinical trials will be necessary to determine proper applications for human patients and establish effective dosing protocols.

The research comes amid a broader scientific debate about cannabis’s medical applications. A comprehensive 2025 analysis published in JAMA examined more than 2,500 scientific papers from the previous 15 years, including reviews, clinical trials and guidelines focused on medical marijuana. This review identified significant gaps between public perception and scientific evidence regarding cannabis’s effectiveness for many medical conditions.

“Whenever a substance is widely used, there is likely to be a very wide set of outcomes,” noted Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. “This study points to the reality that this widely used substance is not a panacea.”

Currently, the strongest evidence supports FDA-approved cannabinoid medications for treating specific conditions including HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and certain severe pediatric seizure disorders.

Health experts emphasize that anyone considering marijuana for medical purposes should consult healthcare providers to discuss potential risks and benefits specific to their condition. As research continues, the selective use of specific cannabis compounds—rather than whole-plant consumption—may offer more targeted therapeutic approaches for conditions like MASLD, which currently has limited treatment options.