Getting quality sleep is an issue for many people around the world. In fact, some studies suggest that between 10-30% of the world’s population struggles with sleep disorders.^[1] Whether the issue is falling asleep or staying asleep, the fact is that we’re all far too tired and not well rested. What is the solution? It could be THCA for sleep.

The Benefits of THCA

Understanding the use of THCA for sleep starts with knowing a thing or two about the benefits of THCA as a whole. There are several potential therapeutic benefits of THCA flower, some of which include

• THCA’s use as a possible neuroprotectant. Neuroinflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s have all been connected to sleep issues.
• Relief for pain and inflammation. Chronic pain and inflammation could easily keep people up at night, which may further exacerbate their recovery and healing processes.
• THCA as an aid for nausea and vomiting. Certain medications and/or therapies such as chemotherapy may induce nausea, which can make it difficult to get the nutrients one needs to support healthy cell recovery and function.

If all of these ailments sound unpleasant, that’s because they are. Not only are they uncomfortable to experience during the day, but these conditions could also certainly prevent people from sleeping soundly and getting a good night’s rest. That’s where THCA for sleep comes in.

THCA’s potential ability to help combat the aforementioned conditions make it a viable candidate for being a sleep aid. Additionally, many people experience anxiety and other mental health concerns as a byproduct of these afflictions. Reducing anxiety may be just what you need for better sleep.

Why THCA May Be Helpful for Sleep Specifically

If you’re wondering why THC isn’t the recommended cannabinoid over THCA for sleep, you’re in good company. While THC can be helpful for some people looking to get better sleep, others experience less than ideal side effects along the lines of increased anxiety and paranoia. The psychoactive effects of THC sometimes contribute to unpleasant feelings for certain individuals. This could result in the opposite of the desired effects and may actually inhibit one’s sleep.

THCA in its raw form, however, won’t get you high. When left unheated and untreated, THCA maintains its extra carboxyl group. This prevents it from delivering the euphoric sensations people associate THC with but keeps all the positive aspects of the cannabinoid. This is good news for people to tend to get anxious, paranoid, or simply don’t agree with the “high” of THC.

Taking THC in its raw form bypasses these potential drawbacks and offers the best of both worlds: a sleep aid without the extras.

How to Use THCA to Help with Sleep

There are several ways you can use THCA for sleep. Keep in mind that the various methods may change your experience. Trying several different consumption methods is often the best way to determine how to use THCA for sleep in a way that works best for you.

• Eat raw cannabis buds. This keeps the THCA in its raw form before it gets decarboxylated, which prevents the psychoactive effects from coming through. This is one of the best ways to take THCA for sleep if you don’t want to get “high.” Be sure to check out Black Tie CBD’s THCA-hemp flowers, including our bestselling GUSHERS (INDOOR) THC-A hemp flower. Alternatively, you may enjoy our ICE CREAM CAKE (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower for a pre-bed, dessert-like snack.
• Smoke THCA. Smoking THCA hemp flower or using THCA concentrate is an easy and effective way to get the maximum benefits of this cannabinoid.
• Dab it with an e-cig or vape. Make sure to use a low heat setting if you’re dabbing or vaping THCA so it doesn’t evaporate completely.

f you need a bit more guidance on how to use THCA for sleep, we suggest reading up on the matter. Follow the tips outlined in our step-by-step guide to using THCA flower. Even if you consider yourself a pro, checking out this guide as a refresher won’t hurt.

Everyone’s sleep is unique to them. How we sleep at night affects how well we perform during the day. Don’t skimp on your ZZzs. Instead, find a sustainable way to get a better night’s sleep with THCA.

To learn more about THCA products or to explore other forms of cannabis like CBD, CBN, and Delta8, shop at Black Tie CBD. For additional information, contact us today.

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THCA diamond concentrates seem to be all the rage nowadays, but not everyone knows why. Curious about THCA diamond concentrates? You’ve come to the right place. Read on to uncover the truth about THCA diamonds and learn more about why cannabis users have deemed them the new favorite.

What are THCA Diamonds?

Knowing the facts about THCA diamond concentrates starts with gaining an understanding of what THCA diamonds are in the first place. As one of the purest forms of THC cannabis products, THCA diamonds are a concentrated cannabinoid with a crystalline structure. Available in various hues, THCA diamonds not only look like precious gemstones, but also deliver such powerful effects that you may consider them to be equally as valuable. Sure, the comparison THCA diamonds to fine jewelry may be a stretch, but that doesn’t mean this cannabinoid is any less coveted.

How are THCA Diamonds Made?

THCA diamonds are made with meticulous craftsmanship and a careful extraction process. This concentrated form of THCA can be made in various ways, the most common of which being the supersaturation process. Crystalline structures are sent through chemical extraction to remove a butane solvent and separate the diamonds from the terpenes. On average, the process typically takes several weeks, but some manufacturers add solvents such as pentane to expedite it. Ask your manufacturer about their methods if you’re curious to learn more.

Once the cannabinoids are separated from the terpenes, the pure THCA diamond concentrate crystals are sent through one final sweep to remove any residual impurities and eliminate extra solvents.

The Facts: Uncovering the Truth about THCA Diamond Concentrates

Now that you have a basic understanding of THCA diamonds and how they’re made, the next questions may be, “Why do people use THCA diamonds?” and “What are THCA diamonds good for?” We’re glad you asked.

1.THCA Diamond Concentrates are the Most Potent Form of THCA

The high potency of THCA diamond concentrates make them the major draw for cannabis lovers. This form of THCA concentrate can contain up to 99.9% THC when heated. To give you an idea of how this stacks up against other forms of cannabis, most others such as THCA hemp flowers yield a THC potency of around 70-90%. That amount is still pretty significant, but it pales in comparison to the powerful potency of diamonds.

2.THCA Diamonds are Fast Acting

It only makes sense that such a highly potent form of THCA would deliver fast-acting effects. This is one of the major benefits of using THCA diamonds vs. other forms of THCA. People who want to feel the effects of THCA and want to feel them fast will be pleased to know that THCA diamonds offer the quickest path forward.

3.THCA Diamonds Have Long-Lasting Effects

Once again, the high potency of THCA diamond concentrates is to thank for this benefit. The effects of diamonds tend to last longer than other forms of THCA due to their higher THC content. Additionally, the shelf life of this product generally exceeds that of other forms of THCA concentrate such as live resin.

4.You Don’t Have to Smoke THCA Diamonds

This may be news to some. As it turns out, you don’t have to smoke THCA diamonds to experience their benefits. Ingesting THCA orally in its raw powder form lets users experience the effects without the psychoactivity.

5.There are several ways to consume THCA Diamonds

While consuming raw THCA is one option, the most common way people use it is by dabbing. Additionally, THCA diamonds can also be added to dab sauces or placed atop THCA hemp flowers in a bowl, joint, or blunt.

THC-A Diamonds from Black Tie CBD contain a total of 99.41% Total THC-A per gram. As with all of our products, our THCA concentrate is 3rd Party Lab Tested, with test analysis results available right on our website. Our goal is to deliver the purest, most authentic form of THCA possible. We encourage all users to enjoy THCA responsibly, no matter what form they consume it in.

For any questions or to speak with our team, we encourage you to contact us at Black Tie CBD today.

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Could THCA be the next big thing in medical cannabis treatment? Some people think so. The precursor to THC and a useful product in and of itself, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) could be a useful remedy for many conditions. Learn more about how people are using THCA medicine in their daily lives below.

What is THCA?

Understanding the validity of THCA medicine starts with an understanding of THCA as a whole. The precursor to THC, THCA is essentially THC before it gets decarboxylated THCA contains one extra carboxyl group that makes it non psychoactive. Once it gets decarboxylated, THCA loses its extra carboxyl group and transforms into THC, which can then be used for a variety of medicinal and non-medicinal purposes.

How Does THCA Differ from THC?

While THCA is the precursor to THC, that doesn’t mean it is not without its own features pre-decarboxylation. THCA in its raw, unaffected form does not have a psychoactive-inducing effect. This has caused some confusion within the cannabis community, as people may be under the impression that THCA won’t get them “high.” When ingested raw, THCA won’t get you high; subject the substance to smoking, vaping, cooking, or any other form of heating mixed with light, and a significant portion of it will transform into the Delta9 THC people everywhere use on a regular basis.

See it for yourself when you try some of our bestselling THCA flower:

• GUSHERS (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a loud, semi-sweet, doughy-berry mixed aroma with strong undertones of gas.
• JEALOUSY (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a dense, exotic flower with notes of pine, citrus, vanilla, and funky haze.
• ICE CREAM CAKE (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower, a cakey-doughy, sharp lemon aroma with hints of gas. It’s like eating vanilla ice cream cake with lemon zest.

The Concept Behind THCA Medicine

The idea behind THCA medicine is to take the potential benefits of THCA and use them to help people with certain ailments. The term “medicine” is tricky; Black Tie CBD never endorses a product or substance as a medicinal product. Furthermore, Black Tie CBD does not claim that any of our products will cure or treat any medical conditions.

Some people who use THCA have found relief for their conditions, which has instigated discussion throughout the cannabis community for THCA medicine as its own concept, beyond that of CBD and THC for medicinal purposes.

How to Use THCA for Medicinal Purposes

THCA medicine is still being researched, but studies that have been conducted thus far have been promising. The potential for THCA to be used for medicinal purposes lies in its properties.

Although limited, there is promising research to suggest that THCA may act as an effective neuroprotectant, giving it the potential to be beneficial in the treatment of certain neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.^[1]

Additionally, THCA may help ease symptoms associated with chronic pain and inflammation. Research exists pointing to a connection between THCA and the acidic form of cannabinoids. The way THCA works may inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to help reduce inflammation.^[2] This may be useful as an occasional remedy for people with intermittent inflammation as well as for chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Many people seek cannabis medicine as a means of reducing the symptoms they experience with other medical conditions. Chemotherapy and some medications, for example, may cause severe nausea and vomiting. For these instances, THCA medicine may be useful as an anti-nausea remedy to help settle the stomach and relieve nausea and vomiting. Similarly, it may act as an appetite stimulant, which could help restore a healthy weight to people struggling with unintentional weight loss.^[3]

Is Using THCA as Medicine Legal?

THCA is positioned to be the next big thing in cannabis medicine, but that doesn’t mean its legality comes without question. While THCA flower in its raw form is considered to be legal under federal law, some states have their own interpretation of the 2018 Farm Bill that could prevent the sale and/or use of THCA medicine, regardless of its form.

It is therefore critical to understand where your state stands in the debate on legal cannabis prior to purchasing any product.

At Black Tie CBD, all of the THCA we sell is third-party tested and vetted for safety. We offer high-quality cannabis products, including THCA that may be used for therapeutic purposes. Explore what we have in store and find the THCA flower or THCA concentrate that works for you!

^[1] https://www.crescolabs.com/cannabinoids/thca/

^[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18556441/

^[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3792001/

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Are you confused about the differences between THCA vs. THCV?  If so, you’re not alone. With so many new compounds and cannabis products being released to the market, it can be hard to keep up with what each one does. That’s where we come in. Black Tie CBD wants you to be an educated consumer when purchasing cannabis products. We are transparent about all of our testing processes so customers can feel confident about the cannabis they get from us, whether it’s CBD, THC, THCA, or something else.

What is THCa?

Known as the precursor to THC, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is THC before it becomes psychoactive. THCA has a similar molecular structure to that of Delta9 THC except for one key difference: THCA has an extra carboxyl group, making it non-psychoactive in its original state. Once it undergoes decarboxylation, however, THCA loses its extra carboxyl group, which activates its ability to induce a “high.”.

What is THCV?

A lesser known cannabis compound, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is often referred to as the weight loss cannabinoid. In contrast to its THC and THCA counterparts, which are known for being appetite stimulants, THCV may do the opposite. While THCV could induce mild psychoactivity, it will typically be less so than THC. This depends on the dose and the strain, but in general, most people find that they get a significantly less intense “high” from this compound.

Differences Between THCA vs. THCV

While both THCA and THCV share several properties and offer a host of potential health benefits, there are certain differences between the two that you should be aware of.

1.    Chemical Structure

The chemical structures of THCA and THCV is the primary difference between these two cannabis compounds and is the basis for how they interact differently with the endocannabinoid system. As mentioned earlier, THCA is the acidic precursor to THC. This means its chemical structure is almost identical to that of THC except for the fact that it contains one extra carboxyl group. Once THCA undergoes decarboxylation, it loses this extra carboxyl group and essentially turns into usable THC.

THCV, on the other hand, is a completely different cannabinoid. This minor cannabinoid is referred to as the analog of THC. THCV is present in extremely low levels (at or around 1%). While it has a similar structure to THC, THCV has two fewer carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon tail. This shorter hydrocarbon tail makes all the difference when it comes to how strong of a “high” the compound will yield. Fewer carbon atoms make THCV interact differently with cannabinoid receptors.  This results in a significantly weaker high, even at higher levels of concentration.

2.    Different levels of psychoactivity

In its raw, unaffected form, THCA does not have psychoactive properties. Heat and treat it with light, however, and THCA will lose its extra carboxyl group, effectively transforming into THC. While THCA will eventually get you “high” once it has been decarboxylated, the way it does so is quite different from THCV. In theory (and often in practice), THCA could result in equal levels of psychoactivity as Delta 9 THC. Conversely, THCV will never get you as high.

The breakdown of the different chemical structures between THCA vs THCV explains the varying degrees of psychoactivity between these two compounds. The main takeaway here is that while THCV can produce similar effects THC, these effects tend to be much weaker, if they are even experienced at all.

3.    Forms of consumption

How people consume THCA vs THCV is a main differentiator between the two cannabinoids. Those who want to preserve THCA in its raw form and reap the benefits before it becomes psychoactive may enjoy eating the raw buds, using THCA in topical form, using the THCA powder, or applying it as a transdermal patch.

Burning, vaping, or smoking THCA, however, enables users to reap the psychoactive benefits of the product, which transforms the entire experience. Some of the bestselling THCA flowers available at Black Tie CBD include:

• GUSHERS (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a loud, semi-sweet, doughy-berry mixed aroma with strong undertones of gas.
• JEALOUSY (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a dense, exotic flower with notes of pine, citrus, vanilla, and funky haze.
• ICE CREAM CAKE (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower, a cakey-doughy, sharp lemon aroma with hints of gas. It’s like eating vanilla ice cream cake with lemon zest.

It is important to note that once you burn or vape THCA, it will become psychoactive. While this is great for people who want to get “high,” it may be a deterrent for those looking to stay away from feeling these intoxicating effects.

As for THCV, users are free to consume it any which way they choose. Dab or smoke THCV freely without concern for how it will transform. As mentioned above, the euphoric sensation will be mild if it is felt at all.

With more knowledge comes a better experience. Take what you’ve learned and apply it when you shop for high quality CBD, THC, and THCA at Black Tie CBD today!

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Curious about cannabis lab results? Not sure how to read them? You’ve come to the right place. If you find it tricky to understand how to read THC vs. THCA lab results, you’re in good company. Many people like knowing that their cannabis has been third party tested by verified labs because it validates the safety and efficacy of the products. Still, some might not be sure how to read these lab results.

Educated consumers should understand what is in their products. This goes for all products, not just CBD, THC, and THCA. With that said, some labels and lab results are easier to read than others. Reading and fully comprehending THCA lab results requires some knowledge of math – there’s just no getting around it. Don’t worry, though – you don’t need to be a mathematician to enjoy THC and THCA.  Having a general idea of what to look for will suffice. If you really want to get into the finer details of THC vs THCA, we have a formula for that as well.

What is the Difference Between THC and THCA?

Understanding how to read cannabis lab results starts with knowing the difference between THC and THCA. Tetraydrocannabolic acid (THCA) is the precursor to THC. While the two cannabinoids have similar structures, there is one stark difference: THCA has an extra carboxyl group that THC does not. This one detail may seem small, but it makes all the difference in whether or not the compound will deliver psychoactive effects. Having an extra carboxyl group means that THCA is not psychoactive in its raw state and will therefore not get you high.

Once it is exposed to heat and light through decarboxylation, however, THCA loses the extra carboxyl group and effectively becomes THC.

How Does THCA Become THC?

We mentioned earlier that decarboxylation transforms THCA into THC. Decarboxylation is the chemical reaction that results from exposure to light and heat. When put in the right environment (i.e., a decarboxylator, the oven, smoking/vaping, etc.), the extra carboxyl group from one substance (in this case THCA) gets removed, therefore activating the psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant.

There are various decarboxylation methods, some of which include:

• Using a decarboxylator (sous vide method)
• Decarbing THCA in the oven
• The mason jar method for decarboxylation
• Making cannabutter

How do you Read THCA Lab Results?

With this knowledge as a foundation, there is still some confusion when it comes to reading cannabis lab results, particularly surrounding THC vs THCA. How do you determine THCA content? How can you know how much THC will be derived from THCA during the transformation process? Some of the uncertainty about total THC is due to the lab techniques used and the separation methods, which are gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC). Earmark these terms, as we’ll circle back to them in a bit.

What is Total THC?

Reading cannabis lab results and deciphering the total THC content of a product means you need to get the real potency value of the substances. This is where the math calculations come in. The formula to calculate THCTOTAL is:

THCtotal = (%THCA) x 0.877 + (%THC)

Knowing the total THC content will help you understand how strong a certain strain of THC vs. THCA is.

What to Consider When Reading Lab Results for THC vs. THCA

We mentioned the separation methods GC and LC earlier; now is when they will come back into play. Knowing how to read cannabis lab results correctly is important for understanding how strong the product you’re taking will be. Additionally, GC does not work for THC edibles, which is why many labs have switched to the LC method.

Seeing more than one THC percentage on LC cannabis lab results is a good thing, as it indicates both the THCA and the THC content. Having these percentages on the label means the lab has taken all of the necessary steps to ensure clarity and transparency. In instances where labs use the GC method (for non-edibles), seeing one THC percentage will suffice, as this will indicate the total amount of THC.

Reading cannabis lab results can be complicated, even for the most experienced of users. Need more insight on finding out what a high THCA percentage is? We have you covered.

Whether or not you choose to go through all the calculations of deciphering THC vs. THCA for the total THC content, when you purchase from Black Tie CBD, you can be sure that everything you’re getting is high-quality and third-party tested.  Some of our bestselling THCA flowers include:

• GUSHERS (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a loud, semi-sweet, doughy-berry mixed aroma with strong undertones of gas.
• JEALOUSY (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a dense, exotic flower with notes of pine, citrus, vanilla, and funky haze.
• ICE CREAM CAKE (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower, a cakey-doughy, sharp lemon aroma with hints of gas. It’s like eating vanilla ice cream cake with lemon zest.

We also offer THCA concentrate in a variety of forms. Shop now to find your perfect strain.

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So you know about CBD and you’ve heard about THCA (possibly), but what do you know about CBD vs THCA? With new terms, products, and compounds regularly being released to the cannabis market, it’s important to stay up to date on everything that is out there. Having a solid understanding of what each product is, what it may do or help with, and what to consider when taking CBD vs. THCA will make you a more educated consumer. It will also help you have a more enjoyable experience, no matter which type of cannabis you choose!

What is CBD?

Many people are familiar with the term CBD but it never hurts to have a little refresher on its actual definition. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the active ingredient in the Cannabis plant. Naturally occurring, CBD is a non-intoxicating compound. CBD may be ingested in many forms, including as an edible, CBD oil, CBD flower, and topically. How it is taken, the dosage at which CBD is taken, as well as one’s body composition and a variety of external factors will affect how strongly it impacts an individual.

What is THCA?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the acidic form of THC. The best way to think of THCA is as the precursor to THC. THCA has a similar molecular structure to that of THC except for one key difference: THCA has an extra carboxyl group, making it non-psychoactive in its original state. Once it undergoes decarboxylation, THCA loses that extra carboxyl group, which activates its ability to induce a “high.”

How Does CBD Differ from THC and THCA?

Some of the confusion between CBD vs THCA comes from the misconception that THCA will not get you “high.” This causes some people to think that CBD is the same as THCA, but the two couldn’t be more different. While THCA in its raw form does not have psychoactive properties, it can induce euphoria once it has been decarboxylated. This means that once THCA is heated, light-treated, and transformed into usable THC, it will in fact deliver the same sensations you’re likely seeking from Delta9.

CBD, on the other hand, will not do this. No matter how much heat and light treatment CBD undergoes, it will not transform into a psychoactive substance in the way that THCA becomes THC. While some strains of CBD contain a very small percentage of THC (under 0.3% THC for the legal limit), this is not enough to make it intoxicating.

The Entourage Effect: Can CBD be Used with THCA?

For people on a mission to maximize the benefits of these phytocannabinoids, combining them may be the way to go. CBD can be mixed with THC, which means it can also be combined with THCA for an entourage effect. Using CBD with THCA flower may intensify the effects of both, which could be good or bad depending on what your goal is. If you’re new to using cannabis and want to take things slow, starting with one (ideally CBD) is advisable as opposed to using CBD with THC or THCA. Alternatively, if you consider yourself somewhat of a cannabis connoisseur and want to experiment with something new, we say go ahead!

As always, make sure that the CBD and THCA products you’re taking are third-party lab tested, approved, and verified to be safe. The best way to do this is to purchase from a reputable CBD retailer like Black Tie CBD. Find everything you need to complete your cannabis collection right here when you shop with us at Black Tie CBD.

^[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476#:~:text=The%20evidence%20for%20cannabidiol%20health%20benefits&text=Animal%20studies%2C%20and%20self%2Dreports,falling%20asleep%20and%20staying%20asleep.

^[2] https://www.crescolabs.com/cannabinoids/thca/  

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