Health

Millions have fatty liver disease. Scientists say these 2 cannabis compounds may help

Food & Wine · Jul 05, 2026 11:01 · 6 min read

A recent study is raising new questions about whether cannabis-derived compounds could one day play a role in liver care.

Key points

A new mouse study suggests that the cannabis compounds CBD and CBG may help improve metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by reducing liver fat, improving blood sugar control, and supporting healthy liver cell function.
Researchers say CBD and CBG appear to improve how liver cells produce energy and clear excess fat, but the findings are limited to animal studies and have not yet been confirmed in humans.
Experts do not recommend cannabis as a treatment for MASLD because appropriate dosing, long-term safety, and effectiveness in people remain unknown; lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and a Mediterranean-style diet remain the standard of care.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is now the most common chronic liver condition worldwide, affecting an estimated 38% of adults. The condition is closely linked to obesity and other metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. While weight loss, exercise, and a balanced diet remain the foundation of treatment and prevention, researchers continue to investigate whether certain compounds can help reverse some of the metabolic damage associated with the disease.

A new study from researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that two compounds found in cannabis may have potential for supporting liver health. The researchers found that CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) — two non-intoxicating cannabinoids — improved several markers of metabolic health in obese mice, including blood sugar control, liver fat accumulation, and blood lipid levels.

After four weeks of daily treatment, mice that received injections of either CBD or CBG showed signs of improved liver function. Mice treated with these compounds showed increased levels of phosphocreatine, an energy-storing molecule within cells that helps replenish energy supplies and support healthy cellular function. By supporting this energy system, CBD and CBG may help liver cells better withstand the metabolic stress caused by a high-fat diet and function more efficiently.

That said, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Because this was a preclinical study in mice, several important questions remain unanswered. According to Ayesha Bryant, MD, a surgeon, epidemiologist, and clinical advisor at Alpas Wellness, limitations include the limited availability of randomized clinical trials in humans, uncertainty about how doses translate between species, and whether whole-plant cannabis extracts or isolated compounds would ultimately be more effective. “The primary benefit of this research is its ability to identify a previously unknown role of the endocannabinoid system in liver health,” Bryant says. “Even though cannabis may not eventually become a viable treatment option [for MASLD], this discovery is likely to inspire future research regarding new treatments.”

How CBD and CBG may support liver health

The study found that two cannabis compounds, CBD and CBG, were associated with improvements in several of the underlying problems that drive MASLD in obese mice. Both compounds were linked to reduced liver fat, enhanced blood sugar control, and lower levels of harmful blood lipids. However, CBG appeared to show stronger associations, corresponding to greater reductions in body fat and LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol, as well as better insulin sensitivity.

Rather than simply treating symptoms, CBD and CBG appeared to be associated with improvements in how liver cells produce and use energy. Researchers found that both compounds were linked to increased levels of phosphocreatine, a pattern that may correspond to a greater capacity for liver cells to cope with metabolic stress associated with a high-fat diet.

The compounds were also linked to enhanced function of lysosomes (the cell’s natural recycling centers), which use enzymes called cathepsins to break down damaged fats and cellular waste. When lysosomal function is impaired, research suggests that excess lipids and other harmful substances can accumulate in the liver (and other organs), contributing to disease progression. However, by reactivating this cleanup system, CBD and CBG appeared to restore lysosomal function, ultimately supporting the liver’s ability to process and eliminate excess fat.

As lysosomal function became more efficient, researchers also observed significant reductions in harmful lipid molecules, including triglycerides and ceramides. Ceramides are especially damaging because they’re closely linked to insulin resistance and liver inflammation.

Researchers still don't know what dose would work in humans

The study analyzed the effects of daily CBD or CBG injections administered into the abdomen of obese mice over a four-week period. However, the researchers did not determine what dose would be equivalent for humans or identify a standardized treatment regimen, Bryant says. “There is currently no established minimum effective dose or maximum safe dose for achieving beneficial effects against fatty liver disease, so any attempt to translate findings from preclinical studies into humans would be speculative,” she explains.

As a result, healthcare providers do not currently recommend cannabis as a treatment for fatty liver disease, nor is there evidence supporting a specific method of use, says Shernell Surratt-Gary, DO, a physician and clinical advisor at Aura Wellness. “Smoking cannabis carries known risks, including the development of lung and cardiovascular disease, while edible and tincture products have varying levels of bioavailability (that is, how well they’re absorbed by the body), so there is currently no clinical evidence to support one product over another for treating liver conditions,” she says.

What is MASLD?

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), develops when excess fat builds up in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol. It's now the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Most people with MASLD don't notice any symptoms, especially in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

Fatigue
Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen
Weakness
Unexplained weight loss (typically in more advanced disease)

Because symptoms are often mild or absent, many people don't realize they have MASLD until routine blood work shows elevated liver enzymes or an imaging test reveals fat in the liver. Left untreated, the condition can progress to liver inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and, in some cases, liver failure.

What to know before trying CBD or CBG

While the study’s findings may be promising, cannabis use is not without risk. THC, the compound responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis, can impair memory, attention, balance, reaction time, judgment, and mood, according to Bryant. It’s also known to stimulate appetite, which could potentially worsen obesity and contribute to the progression of fatty liver disease, adds Surratt-Gary.

Unlike THC, neither CBD nor CBG typically produces a psychoactive “high.” That said, both compounds can still cause subtle side effects such as drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, and changes in appetite. They may also interact with certain medications, including sedatives, antiseizure drugs, and blood thinners like warfarin, says Surratt-Gary.

Another challenge is product quality. Cannabis products can vary significantly in potency and purity, and unregulated products may contain contaminants, higher-than-advertised levels of THC, or inconsistent amounts of CBD or CBG. As a result, Bryant stresses that any future medical use of cannabis-based treatments should be carefully regulated and supervised by a healthcare professional. “Just because this study identifies a mechanism that has potential for future use as treatment does not mean that this constitutes approval for treating patients with cannabis,” she says.

What actually helps prevent fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease is often preventable and, in many cases, reversible through healthy lifestyle changes.

According to Bryant, losing just 5 to 10% of your body weight can significantly improve many of the metabolic issues associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Even modest weight loss can reduce fat accumulation in the liver, boost insulin sensitivity, and lower inflammation.

Exercise is also essential. Regular physical activity, particularly resistance training such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, can help the body regulate blood sugar more effectively and improve insulin sensitivity, Bryant says.

Diet plays an equally important role, with many experts recommending a Mediterranean-style diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and healthy fats such as olive oil. This eating pattern has been linked to better metabolic health and a lower risk of fatty liver disease. Bryant also recommends cutting back on added sugars, especially those found in sugary drinks, desserts, and ultra-processed foods, as doing so is associated with reduced fat accumulation in the liver.

Finally, it’s important to manage related conditions, including obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Together, these lifestyle changes may protect the liver, promote overall metabolic health, and prevent the progression of fatty liver disease.