In the rapidly expanding world of cannabinoids, terms like CBD, THC, the endocannabinoid system, and the entourage effect are often bandied about. But behind these familiar concepts lies a scientific detail that almost no one discusses—and yet it could change everything about how cannabinoids work in our bodies: chirality , or the mirror image of molecules.

Cannabinoids are not always what they seem

In his latest in-depth article, Peter Vermeul – founder of CBD Spain and creator of the extracts we at CBD & Herb work exclusively with – sheds light on a little-discussed but crucial topic: the stereochemistry of cannabinoids .

What turns out? Many synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids (such as HHC, THCP, or Delta-8 THC) are created through chemical conversions of isolated CBD. But these processes often create racemates : mixtures of mirror-image molecules, also called enantiomers . These molecules have the exact same chemical formula, but a different spatial structure—similar to your left and right hands.

And these differences are anything but trivial. In pharmacology, it has been known for decades that one mirror image can have a healing effect, while another can have no effect, an opposite effect, or even harmful side effects .

Nature does choose the right reflection

What's so evolutionarily remarkable is that the cannabis plant itself only produces the biologically active mirror image forms . Consider (–)-Δ9-THC, the form that is actually psychoactive and therapeutic via the CB1 receptor. But when you synthetically make THC from CBD, you often end up with a mixture that also contains the mirror image, which has little effect or is actually disruptive .

The same is true for HHC: studies show that only one of the two mirror images (9R-HHC) is actually active in the body. Yet, commercial HHC products are typically sold as 50/50 blends. In other words, half of what you ingest may do nothing or even disrupt the overall effect .

And the most concerning thing? These differences are n't visible on standard lab reports (COAs) . This requires advanced enantioselective chromatography—a technique rarely, if ever, used in the commercial CBD industry.

Why this matters to you as a user

As a user of CBD or other cannabinoids, you want certainty. Certainty that the product works as promised and doesn't cause unpredictable effects. But as long as no distinction is made between enantiomers, you don't know what you're actually getting :

• 🔬 Unpredictable action – the wrong mirror image can bind to unwanted receptors.

• 🚫 Loss of therapeutic effectiveness – active substances are mixed with inactive variants.

• ⚠️ Increased risk of side effects – the body processes enantiomers differently, with unexpected consequences.

• ❌ Disturbed entourage effect – the natural synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids becomes unbalanced.

Peter Vermeul's vision: back to the power of the whole plant

As a pioneer in whole plant extracts , Peter Vermeul shows that things can be done differently. His unique extraction method—without chemical conversions or synthetic intermediate steps—retains the complete natural structure and chiral integrity of the cannabis plant. No racemates, no "mishandling," just pure nature , just as the plant has optimized it for millions of years.

“The mirror image of a molecule is as important as its chemical formula.” – Peter Vermeul

Its extracts contain:

• Full acid profiles (such as CBDa, THCa, CBGa)

• Biologically active cannabinoids

• Correct terpene and flavonoid forms

• No synthetic conversions, no unpredictable side effects

Would you like to read the full scientific in-depth article?

In the full article "The Blind Spot in Modern Cannabis Science - The Mirror Image of Cannabinoids" you can read all about:

• Why the Mirror Image of THC, HHC, and THCP Makes a World of Difference

• How Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids Fundamentally Differ

• What are the risks of synthetic conversions

• Why COAs (Certificates of Analysis) sometimes give a false sense of security

• And how the future of therapeutic cannabis should go back to the plant itself

Read Peter Vermeul's full article now and discover why chirality is the missing piece of the puzzle in understanding cannabinoids.

👉 Blind Spot in Modern Cannabis Science - The Mirror Image of Cannabinoids - pdf NL

👉 Blind Spot in Modern Cannisbis Science - The Mirror Image of Cannabinoids - pdf EN