Cannabinoid Acids – What Are They?

Cannabinoid acids such as CBDa , THCa , CBGa , and CBCa are the natural, raw forms of the well-known cannabinoids CBD and THC. In the living plant, these substances always exist in this acidic form. Only when heated (for example, by smoking or industrial extraction) do they transform into their inactivated counterparts.

But Peter states, based on practical experience and scientific research: the acidic forms are often more powerful, subtler and more effective.
They are:

• Non-psychoactive (like THCa)

• Up to 1000x more powerful as a COX-2 inhibitor than regular anti-inflammatory drugs

• Much better absorbed by the body than CBD

• And they have hardly any side effects

Peter's practical experience

In his blog, Peter shares dozens of impressive cases from his work with patients:
A girl with severe epilepsy whose seizures almost disappeared after taking CBDa-rich oil.
A man with metastatic prostate cancer whose PSA level dropped to 0 after taking extracts containing THCa and CBGa .
Children with autism, people with Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, eczema or autoimmune diseases: he saw the same common thread again and again — the acids make the difference.

And what does science say?

Peter connects practice and theory by delving deeply into how cannabinoid acids work at the cellular level:

• They modulate the immune system , rather than shutting it down

• They work through unique pathways such as PPAR-γ, TRPV1 and 5-HT1A (which are relevant in pain, anxiety and depression, among others).

• They increase absorption and duration of effect through strong binding to albumin

• And they support the microbiome , which is crucial for gut health and immune balance

Epigenetic effects are also discussed: cannabinoid acids appear to be able to influence gene expression and can help with recovery at the cellular and system level.

Why This Matters

The modern cannabis industry often still focuses on isolated substances, standardization, and heating. But Peter argues—with reason and passion—for the opposite: preserving the plant's natural synergy.
Do not reduce, but respect.

"Whoever understands the acids, understands the plant. And whoever understands the plant can design personalized medicine that truly suits the individual."
— Peter Vermeul

Would you like to go into more depth?

The full article contains nearly 30 pages of insights, scientific explanations, practical examples, and a clear vision of the future of personalized plant medicine.

👉 Read the full article as a PDF here

Cannabinoid Acids: My Story, My Experience, and the Science (pdf NL)

- Cannabinoid acids: My story, My experience, and the Science (pdf EN)

CBD & Herb works exclusively with extracts from CBD Spain , in which these acids—including terpenes and flavonoids—are fully preserved. No heating, no isolates, just pure nature, just as the plant intended.