Using cannabidiol to treat alcoholic liver disease
Official title: Cannabidiol as a treatment for alcoholic liver disease
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-10753729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether taking cannabidiol (CBD), a compound from cannabis that doesn’t get you high, can help protect the liver from damage caused by drinking alcohol, and it's aimed at people who have alcoholic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $411,257 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AA031172-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10753729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease who may benefit from new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver disease not related to alcohol consumption may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from cannabis, as a treatment for alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The study aims to determine if CBD can be effectively administered orally to provide protective effects against liver damage caused by alcohol consumption. Researchers will explore the underlying mechanisms of how CBD interacts with specific receptors in the intestines and its impact on liver health. By examining these effects, the research seeks to identify both therapeutic and preventive benefits of CBD for patients with ALD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a new oral treatment option for patients suffering from alcoholic liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: While CBD has shown promise in animal models for various conditions, this specific application for alcoholic liver disease is novel and has not been extensively tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Zhao-Hui — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Song, Zhao-Hui
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.