Cannabinoids CBD and CBG May Improve Fatty Liver Disease

An experimental animal study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology on March 5, 2026, reported that two non-psychoactive cannabis compounds, known as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), may improve fatty liver disease, as well as high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance associated with obesity [1]. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is the most common chronic liver disorder in the world, affecting almost one-third of the adult population [2]. While this study is in an animal model, the findings are significant and provide possible adjunct treatment using safe and legally available cannabinoids.

Introduction

Fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) occurs when too much fat builds up in the liver, and is caused by different types of metabolic dysfunction, including obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure (hypertension), and high cholesterol. Obesity-related fatty liver disease occurs when liver cells take in more fat than they can process. This happens because the liver is flooded with (1) dietary fat, (2) fat from the breakdown of fat stores (adipose tissue), and (3) the body creates new fat from excess dietary carbohydrate, especially fructose. The liver’s ability to transport the excess fat into the bloodstream is weakened, leading to a build-up of excess fat.

Key Takeaways

• New Research: A 2026 experimental study suggests cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) can significantly improve fatty liver (MASLD) and metabolic markers.

• CBG vs. CBD: While both CBD and CBG showed benefits, CBG was found to be more effective at reducing body fat and increasing insulin sensitivity.

• Metabolic Impact: These non-psychoactive cannabinoids helped normalize fasting blood glucose and reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Clinical Context: While human trials are needed, these compounds offer a promising, legal adjunct to the standard of care (diet and lifestyle).

Cause and Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease

Insulin resistance, which is one of the hallmarks of metabolic dysfunction, causes the fat cells (adipocytes) to become “deaf” to insulin’s signal. Even though there is plenty of carbohydrate and fat in meals, the fat cells (adipocytes) don’t get the message to stop releasing their contents. Since the insulin “stop switch” is broken, the fat cells constantly leak free fatty acids into the bloodstream. As a result, the liver has to deal with two massive streams of fat at once: the dietary fat coming from food, and the leaked fat coming from the body’s storage, and these metabolic disturbances often occur along with chronic, low-grade inflammation.

As there is no medication approved for the treatment of fatty liver disease, dietary and lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of care for fatty liver disease and comprise a regular part of my dietetic practice, in adolescence, young adults, and adults of all ages.

In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), which are two non-psychoactive cannabinoids from the cannabis (marijuana) plant, have been attracting attention as a potential treatment due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic-improving properties [1]. Since CBD and CBG are non-psychoactive, they do not result in the characteristic “high” associated with the psychoactive cannabinoid THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).

Experimental Study

Study Design

To induce diet-induced obesity, this experimental study used male mice that were fed either a High-Fat Diet (HFD), which was 60% kcal from fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrate, or a Standard Chow Diet (STD) for 14 weeks. After the 14 weeks, to evaluate the metabolic effects of phytocannabinoid treatment, the mice continued on their respective diets for an additional 4 weeks (28 days) during which they received daily injections of either CBD or CBG into their abdomen.

• Dosage of cannabidiol (CBD) was 5 mg/kg per day for the first 21 days (3 weeks), then increased to 10 mg/kg per day for the final week (7 days)
• Dosage of cannabigerol (CBG) was 12.5 mg/kg per day for the first 21 days (3 weeks), then increased to 25 mg/kg per day for the final week (7 days)

Study Results

Analysis of body composition of the mice confirmed that High-Fat Diet-fed mice had an expected increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass compared to the control group fed the Standard Chow Diet (STD). In the obese mice, CBG was found to be significantly more effective at reducing body fat and increasing insulin sensitivity than CBD.

Body Fat

• Treatment with CBG (cannabigerol) significantly reduced fat mass and increased lean mass in the High-Fat Diet-fed mice.
• Treatment with CBD (cannabidiol) showed a trend toward reducing fat and slightly increasing lean mass, but these changes were not large enough to be statistically significant.

Fatty Liver

High-Fat Diet-fed mice were found to have extensive microvesicular fatty liver (steatosis), which is where fat is broken up into many tiny, individual droplets (vesicles) that fill the cell but leave the nucleus in the center, as well as fat accumulation.

• Both microvascular fatty liver and fat accumulation were substantially improved in both the CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol)-treated groups.

Blood Glucose

Fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher in High-Fat Diet-fed mice relative to Standard Chow Diet (STD) controls.

• Both CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) normalised fasting glucose concentrations, and there was improved glucose clearance in the cannabinoid-treated groups.

Insulin Sensitivity

To determine insulin sensitivity, the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) was calculated.

The HOMA-IR is a test that uses a simultaneous fasting blood glucose test and fasting insulin test to accurately estimate the degree of insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function (the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin). Alternatively, HOMA-IR can also be determined from a simultaneous fasting blood glucose test and a fasting C-peptide test [3]. Since C-peptide is released in proportion to insulin, it can be used to estimate insulin. Read more about the HOMA-IR test.

Not surprisingly, the High-Fat Diet-fed mice were found to have a substantial increase in HOMA-IR.

• HOMA-IR was significantly reduced by CBG (cannabigerol) and partially reduced by CBD (cannabidiol).

Triglyceride Levels

Serum lipid profiling revealed modest increases in Triglyceride (TG) levels in High-Fat Diet-fed mice compared to the Standard Chow Diet (STD)-fed controls.

• Triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly reduced by both CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol).

Cholesterol Levels

Both Total Cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in High-Fat Diet-fed mice.

• Treatment with either CBD (cannabidiol) or CBG (cannabigerol) cannabinoids significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL levels, with CBG exerting the most pronounced effect. 

Conclusion

Together, the findings of this study show that non-psychoactive cannabinoid administration, especially CBG (cannabigerol), improves the key features of obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, including adiposity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and MASLD.

These results highlight the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids in the management of metabolic disorders associated with HFD consumption.

Final Thoughts

Dietary and lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of treatment for fatty liver disease and comprise a regular part of my dietetic practice in adolescence, young adults, and adults of all ages.

At present, since there is no pharmaceutical treatment for fatty liver disease, and cannabis and its compounds are legal in Canada, use of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids CBG (cannabigerol) and CBD (cannabidiol) offers a potential adjunct treatment.

More Info

I have almost two decades of experience helping people reduce fatty liver disease, as well as blood sugar, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. Learn about me and the Comprehensive Dietary Package that I offer.

To your good health!

Joy

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References

1. Kočvarová, R., Azar, S., Agranovich, B., Abramovich, I., Kirillov, S., Nemirovski, A., Baraghithy, S., Plaschkes, I., Merquiol, E., Rouvinski, A., Blum, G., Hinden, L., & Tam, J. (2026). Cannabidiol and cannabigerol ameliorate steatotic liver disease via phosphocreatine buffering and lysosomal restoration. British Journal of Pharmacology, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.70387
2. Miao, L., Targher, G., Byrne, C. D., Cao, Y.-Y., & Zheng, M.-H. (2024). Current status and future trends of the global burden of MASLD. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 35, 697–707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2024.02.007
3. Crofts C. Understanding and Diagnosing Hyperinsulinemia. [Doctoral Thesis]. Auckland, New Zealand: AUT University; 2015. p. 205.

 

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