Frequent Cannabis Use Linked to Lower Risk of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease, Study Finds

Key Takeaways

• Frequent cannabis users—especially those diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD)—showed a significantly lower risk of developing alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) compared to non-users.
• Researchers found up to a 40% reduction in liver disease risk and a 14% lower overall mortality among cannabis users with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• CBD may play a key protective role, supporting growing evidence of its potential to shield the liver from alcohol-related damage.
• Experts caution that more research is needed and that cannabis use still carries mental health risks such as dependency and cognitive impairment.

A New Look at Cannabis and Alcohol’s Impact on the Liver

A groundbreaking study published in Liver International suggests that people who frequently consume cannabis may be less likely to develop serious liver diseases caused by alcohol.

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University analyzed health data from 66,228 patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) between 2010 and 2022, dividing them into three groups:

1. Patients diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD)

2. Infrequent cannabis users (CU)

3. Non-users of cannabis

After controlling for age, gender, health conditions, and lifestyle factors, the study found that frequent cannabis users had the lowest risk of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD)—including steatosis, hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Study Results: Cannabis May Offer Liver Protection

The data revealed a striking pattern:

• 40% reduction in overall liver disease risk among cannabis users

• 17% lower risk of hepatic decompensation (liver failure)

• 14% decrease in all-cause mortality

Interestingly, the study also found a dose–response trend, with heavier cannabis users (those meeting the criteria for CUD) showing the most protection. This suggests that the more frequently cannabis is used, the stronger the protective effect might be—though the researchers note that diagnostic coding limits precise measurement of cannabis intake.

Why Cannabis Might Protect the Liver

The researchers attribute these effects to the endocannabinoid system—a network of receptors in the body that regulates inflammation, pain, and cell health—as a potential reason for these effects.

They hypothesize that CBD (cannabidiol), a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis, may have hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties. Past research has shown CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death—all of which contribute to liver disease progression.

“Given the expanding body of experimental data supporting the hepatoprotective properties of CBD and its favorable safety profile, further studies are both justified and warranted,” the authors concluded.

Cannabis Use and Alcohol Consumption: A Broader Connection

This new research adds to a growing trend showing how cannabis can reduce the harms of alcohol.

A recent survey found that nearly 80% of people who consume cannabis-infused drinks reported cutting down on alcohol, while more than 20% quit drinking entirely.

Other studies have found that CBD can help reduce alcohol cravings and consumption, and even protect the brain from alcohol-related damage.
For example:

• A University of Sydney study found that CBD reduced voluntary alcohol consumption in test subjects.

• A federally funded U.S. study, published in Nature, reported that CBD could ease withdrawal symptoms and lower relapse risk in people with alcohol use disorder.

A Shift in How People Drink and Consume

The rise of THC- and CBD-infused beverages reflects this shift. According to a recent poll, one in three millennials and Gen Z professionals now choose cannabis drinks over alcohol at social events.

While cannabis is not completely risk-free for every person, this growing body of evidence suggests it could play a significant role in harm reduction—especially for those struggling with alcohol dependence.