Obesity is a complex metabolic condition linked to excessive fat accumulation, often driven by increased fat cell formation and impaired fat breakdown. In this study, researchers examined cannabigerol (CBG)-dominant cannabis extracts to understand how they influence fat cell development using 3T3-L1 cells, a standard laboratory model for studying adipose (fat) tissue. The goal was to evaluate whether CBG-rich extracts could affect key biological processes involved in lipid metabolism.

The findings showed that CBG-dominant extracts significantly inhibited the formation of new fat cells (adipogenesis) in a dose-dependent manner. Researchers observed reduced expression of major genes and proteins involved in fat storage, including PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, and FAS. At the same time, the extracts increased markers associated with fat breakdown (lipolysis) and energy use, such as HSL, ATGL, UCP1, and PGC-1α. These combined effects suggest that CBG may help shift the body’s balance away from fat storage and toward fat utilization under experimental conditions.

Overall, the study suggests that CBG-rich cannabis extracts may have potential anti-obesity effects by regulating multiple pathways involved in fat metabolism, including reducing fat accumulation and promoting energy expenditure. However, the research was conducted in cell models rather than in humans, so further studies—including animal and clinical trials—are needed to determine safety, effectiveness, and real-world applications.

Source:
Han JY, et al. Comparative Anti-Obesity Potential of Cannabigerol-Dominant Cannabis sativa L. Inflorescence Extracts via Differential Regulation of Lipid Metabolism in 3T3-L1 Cells. National Library of Medicine (NIH):
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12941217/