What are Nicotine Salts?
So you might have heard people vaping this new type of e-liquid known as nicotine salts or sometimes known as salt nic’s or salts.
Nicotine Salt is a type of nicotine that is generally considered to be a more stable and purer form of nicotine versus traditional ‘freebase’ nicotine that is found in most common e-liquids. Nicotine salts are similar to freebase nicotine in that both forms of nicotine comes from the same tobacco leaf.
If you have been vaping 3mg/6mg/12mg etc.. liquids, you will have experienced vaping ‘freebase’ nicotine. We’re sure you are familiar with the throat-hit sensation you get if you vape higher nicotine amounts i.e 6mg/12mg. This throat hit sensation is due to the PH level of freebase nicotine. Freebase nicotine has a higher PH level and thus you get a harsher throat hit. Most people won’t vape something over 12mg (but there are exceptions).
What are the key differences between Nicotine Salts and Freebase Nicotine?
The key difference is that nicotine salts contains benzoic acid - this lowers the PH levels of nicotine and allows for a smoother throat hit. In traditional ‘freebase’ nicotine, this key ingredient is missing and this is why nicotine salts give you a smoother throat hit while being at a higher nicotine level ie. 25mg/30mg or even as high as 50mg. The characteristic of nicotine salt is that it also vaporizes at much lower temperatures - hence the reason why it is primarily enjoyed using pod devices that are small, have small batteries and fire at lower temperatures. So for example, vaping nicotine salts that is 25mg/30mg at a lower temperature, results in giving u a nicotine ‘hit’ or ‘buzz’ after only a few puffs.
Nicotine salts rose to fame thanks to the popularity of the JUUL pod device which started selling around 2017. Once JUUL became popular, many people in the vaping industry closely studied their nicotine salt formula and now have successfully replicated it. Now, many brands out there have their own formula of nicotine salts offering a variety of flavors (great!). Pod device manufacturers have also studied the JUUL device and now produce all types of devices with different features to cater for all types of vapers.
What level of nicotine salt should i try?
For guidance:
- If you vape 0mg freebase liquids, there is no point to try nicotine salts. Nicotine salts are meant to deliver a strong nicotine hit.
- If you vape 3mg/6mg freebase liquids, you should be able to handle 25mg/30mg nicotine salts.
- If you vape 12mg’s or higher, you’re in the middle ground. You could go for 25mg/30mg for less of a nicotine buzz or prefer 50mg nicotine salts for a stronger buzz.
- If you are a smoker looking to switch to vape - than 50mg is definitely the way to go. You will get your nicotine fix quickly after only a few puffs which will help you get off smoking for good.
What are the advantages of using nicotine salts with pod devices?
- They don’t produce massive clouds like higher temperature devices with bigger batteries and wide open airflows. Thus they are more suited for the workplace environment where you may want to vape in stealth mode and not attract too much attention.
- They are typically enjoyed using small and discrete pod devices which are easily charged and carried in your pocket.
- They give you a good nicotine hit with after only a few puffs (and much smoother throat hit too) - so you end up putting your vape device down after only a few puffs.
Are Nicotine Salts Right for You?
Only you can answer that tricky question, but it’s helpful to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I want a more genuine smoking experience, or am I looking for something new?
- Will I want smooth vapor, high nicotine with less clouds?
- Do I need a stronger or more subtle nicotine "hit" (buzz)?
- Is being discrete important?
- Is portability important?
Click here to see our collection of Malaysian made Nicotine Salts