A 2026 animal study investigated whether cannabigerol (CBG) could improve metabolic and mitochondrial changes associated with obesity. Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet, and researchers examined the effects of two weeks of CBG treatment on fatty acid metabolism and cardiolipin, an important fat found in mitochondrial membranes. CBG reduced the movement of fatty acid transporters to muscle-cell membranes, potentially limiting excessive fatty acid uptake and lipid accumulation.

CBG also altered cardiolipin composition in skeletal muscle. Obesity was associated with abnormal cardiolipin fatty-acid remodeling and increased accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid within cardiolipin. CBG increased overall cardiolipin levels, reduced this abnormal accumulation, increased the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, and lowered products of lipid oxidation. Together, these findings suggest that CBG may help protect mitochondrial membranes and improve cellular defenses against oxidative stress.

Although the findings suggest that CBG may influence obesity-related metabolic dysfunction in muscle, this research was conducted in rats rather than humans. Clinical studies are needed to determine whether similar mitochondrial and metabolic effects occur in people, as well as to establish appropriate dosing, safety, and therapeutic relevance.

Source: Bielawiec P, Konstantynowicz-Nowicka K, Chabowski A, Harasim-Symbor E. Cannabigerol Alleviates Obesity-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction by Cardiolipin Fatty Acid Remodeling. FASEB Journal. 2026;40(11). DOI: 10.1096/fj.202504362RR. PMID: 42233524. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42233524/