A new line of research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that compounds found in cannabis could chart a practical path toward treating the world’s most common chronic liver disorder.

In the British Journal of Pharmacology, cannabidiol and cannabigerol significantly reduced liver fat and improved metabolic health in experimental models, signaling a potential shift from purely lifestyle management to pharmacologically guided care.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease MASLD now affects approximately one in three adults globally, a reflection of rising obesity, dietary excess, and sedentary lifestyles that tax the liver year after year.

With limited approved pharmaceutical options, patients often rely on diet and exercise regimens that are difficult to sustain in the face of modern life.

Our findings identify a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic energy and lysosomal function. Joseph Tam, the study’s lead author and director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research at Hebrew University, described the work in a press release.

The study highlights metabolic remodeling, a process in which CBD and CBG appear to bolster the liver’s energy capacity by increasing phosphocreatine, a high energy molecule stored in muscle tissue.

That stored energy acts like a backup battery, helping liver cells function under the stress of a high-fat diet and unexpectedly supporting metabolic resilience.

Researchers also found that CBD and CBG restored the activity of cathepsins, enzymes that work within cellular recycling centers to break down harmful fats and waste. With more efficient cellular cleanup, the liver better clears dangerous lipids such as triglycerides and ceramides that drive inflammation and tissue damage.

Among the two compounds, CBG showed more robust results in certain areas, such as reducing total body fat mass and improving insulin sensitivity. It also lowered low density lipoprotein cholesterol more effectively than CBD, suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits in addition to liver protection.

The authors caution that the study was conducted in controlled experimental settings and may not directly translate to human patients. Translating bench results into clinical practice will require carefully designed human trials that address dosing, safety, and long term effects.

Other recent studies have pointed to potential issues with using cannabis as a medical tool, underscoring the need for rigorous evidence before broad adoption.

A major analysis published in a leading medical journal reviewed more than two thousand five hundred papers from the last fifteen years and found substantial gaps between public perception and solid clinical data.

Whenever a substance is widely used, there is likely to be a very wide set of outcomes. As Alex Dimitriu, MD, noted, this implies wide variability and cautions against overpromising, even as new science explores promising pathways.

The strongest evidence currently 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.

These therapies are established in guidelines and supported by robust clinical data, underscoring the need for medical oversight and discovery within a framework of safety and accountability.

As interest in plant based remedies grows, policymakers and clinicians should emphasize evidence and patient safety while preserving room for innovation within a rational regulatory framework.

That approach aligns with conservative principles that favor limited government intrusion and careful risk management rather than sweeping promises.

Ultimately research into CBD, CBG, and related compounds should proceed with humility and rigor, balancing potential benefits against real world risks.

Patients should consult healthcare providers to discuss benefits, risks, and monitoring strategies before considering any treatment, given the current state of evidence.