What is nicotine?
Nicotine is a chemical compound derived from the tobacco plant that contains nitrogen. Nicotine is highly addictive used for smoking to relieve withdrawal symptoms. An average cigarette contains about 2mg of nicotine. It is also used for therapeutic purposes and sometimes provided to patients through gums, lozenges, dermal patches, inhalers or nasal sprays. You may also find some options such as gum or patches helpful to quit smoking, a replacement that’s designed to minimize addictiveness. Most smokers believe smoking is helpful to relax and relieve stress, it actually increases tension and anxiety. However, it can prevent fatigue and can elevate mood. We can conclude that nicotine has its negative and positive effects on the brain, similar to everything else generally speaking.
Freebase nicotine
Freebase nicotine has a higher PH level which affects the alkalinity and it has a noticeably harsh throat hit, based on the purest higher nicotine level that’s been created by adding ammonia to become freebase. Used in low power devices suitable for sub-ohm due to its lower concentration, making them a popular option among vapers that enjoy big clouds otherwise known as “cloud chasers”. Suited for mouth-to-lung or direct-to-lung vaping styles.
Nicotine salts
Nicotine salt is just as safe as general e-liquids if not more. Provides a longer lasting nicotine hit compared to traditional nicotine e-liquids. Nicotine salt has a lower alkalinity due the benzoic acid allowing you to vape at a higher nicotine strength with a smoother throat hit. Over the past few years nicotine salt e-liquids have been progressively more popular. Recommended to use for smaller pod/pen devices that produce less vapor.
Which should you choose?
When it comes to making a decision, look at the major differences between nicotine and nicotine salt, understand the benefits and advantages to help you decide which is right for you.
Freebase Nicotine: Provides stronger/harsh throat hit
Contains no additives.
Vaping style suited for both mouth to lung or direct to lung (MTL – DTL)
Vapes with higher power devices producing larger clouds
Low and medium nicotine level
Ideal to vapers who require lower nicotine strength
Requires more e-juice
Nicotine Salt: Provides smooth throat hit
Contains Benzoic or Citric acid
Vaping style is suited for mouth to lung (MTL)
Vapes with lower power devices
Higher nicotine level
Helpful for those who are trying to quit smoking or new to vaping
Requires less e-juice
Why choose vape instead of cigarette?
Based on the studies conducted up to date worldwide, it is safe to say that vaping is a better option than smoking and it can help to quit smoking. Currently the best estimate is that e-cigarettes are much less harmful than smoking. There are far fewer harmful chemicals present in the vapour than in tobacco smoke. Normally when you light a cigarette you will smoke it from start to finish, using an e-cigarette means that you can put it down after a few draws and feel satisfied. You have the option to adjust your nicotine strength as desired. Another advantage of vaping you won’t have to deal with the smell of tobacco. Vaping has a nice scent of aroma from the flavors used that is barely noticeable. The vaping market has expanded tremendously in the last few years, there are a wide range of products that will be suitable whether you are a beginner or not, without breaking your wallet. Whichever choice you make, consider that vaping is an alternative to smoking.
Right e-liquid for you
There is a large selection of flavours and brands available on the market, as well as in the online vape shops, to choose the right e-liquid you must consider the following few key factors:
- Flavor of the e-juice that is most desirable to vape all day.
- Preferred nicotine strength.
- The amount of vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol (known as VP/PG ratio) that suits your vaping style.
What are the advantages of using e-liquid?
When it comes to e-liquid or e-juice it has a wide range of endless options available for flavors, tastes, CBD oils, fruit flavors or food flavors and menthol, that are deliciously created and some are blended to enjoy vaping as pleased. You can also take control of the nicotine level allowing vapers to choose the best nicotine level they need.
Choosing the Right Nicotine strength
It’s a difficult process to pick the right nicotine strength, here we have a few details to help this process for you.
If you are new to vaping and never smoked before we suggest you start from the lowest possible nicotine strength, and if you are a former smoker, it’s best to start with medium or medium-high strength and adjust based on your needs. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice.
Know your VG/PG ratios
Manufacturers produce e-liquid that come in all options of VG/PG ratios, whether they are combined together or separated. While PG provides more flavor, VG is slightly on the sweet side. If you are looking for large thicker clouds and enough flavor to enjoy VG/PG 70/30 mixture is made for you. Ideally used with sub-ohm devices, perfect for atomizers 0.5 ohm or below.
Most MTL vapers prefer 50/50 VG/PG due to smooth throat hit and decent flavor. Smaller coils are more suited for higher PG ratios.
