Cannabis compounds could reverse disease affecting one-third of adults

The research, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, found that cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) significantly reduced liver fat and improved metabolic health in experimental models.

CBD is the more widely studied non-intoxicating cannabinoid, while CBG is a less common "precursor" cannabinoid from which CBD is formed.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) currently affects approximately one-third of the global adult population, according to health data.

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

This energy reserve helps the organ function under the stress of a high-fat diet, which was an unexpected discovery, the team noted.

The researchers also 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.

With this process, the liver was better able to clear out dangerous lipids, including triglycerides and ceramides, which are known to trigger inflammation, the study showed.

Researchers say this study opens a new path for using plant-based compounds to treat metabolic diseases by focusing on how cells manage energy and waste.

A major analysis published in JAMA examined more than 2,500 scientific papers from the last 15 years, including other reviews, clinical trials and guidelines focused on medical marijuana.

The 2025 review highlighted significant gaps between public perception and scientific evidence regarding cannabis' effectiveness for most medical conditions.

"Whenever a substance is widely used, there is likely to be a very wide set of outcomes," Alex Dimitriu, MD, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, previously told Fox News Digital. "This study points to the reality that this widely used substance is not a panacea."

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, according to the review.