A study of more than 66,000 U.S. adults finds that heavy drinkers who also used cannabis were less likely to develop liver disease than those who drank heavily without using weed.
While the study authors were quick to say that this isn't a recommendation to start smoking cannabis, the CBD component of the plant might help protect imperiled livers.
"CBD appears to calm inflammation and reduce some of the chemical signals that drive liver scarring," said study senior author Dr. Juan Pablo Arab. "Our findings show that real-world cannabis use may have some of these same protective effects in people who drink heavily."
He directs alcohol sciences at the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, part of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. His team published their findings recently in the journal Liver International.
It's long been known that alcohol overconsumption takes a toxic toll on the liver. In fact, alcohol-associated liver disease is a leading cause of liver-related death worldwide.
