In the past few years, the vaping industry has advanced to enable maximum benefits to consumers. There are many choices for a vape enthusiast, including various flavors, device types, and comprehensive E-juice options.

However, some vapers have a dilemma about nicotine salts vs. freebase because this decision can make a significant difference in the vape experience. It primarily depends on whether you are a former smoker or a beginner in vaping and what your nicotine needs are. Let’s check!

Nicotine salts vs. freebase nicotine
Feature	Nic salts	Freebase nicotine
Nicotine form	Organic	Pure
Users	Vapers with high nicotine needs	Vapers with low nicotine needs
Vaping technique	Mouth-to-lung	Mouth-to-lung and direct-to-lung
Additives	Benzoic, levulinic, or citric acid	None
Throat hit	Smooth at high doses	Harsh at high doses
Head buzz	Fast	Slow
E-liquid level to achieve cigarette-like nicotine	Require less E-liquid	Require more E-liquid
Absorption in the bloodstream	Fast	Slow
Addiction potential	High	Low
Flavor complexity	Limited	Complex
Cloud production	Less vapor	More vapor
Nicotine strength	High	Low
PG: VG ratio	50%: 50%	50%: 50%, high PG, and high VG
Oxidation	Slow	Fast
pH	5 (acidic)	8 (alkaline)
Shelf life	Long	Short
Device power	Low wattage	High wattage
Kit type	MTL	Sub-ohms
Availability	Less available	Widely available
Price	Expensive	Cheap

 

What is Nicotine?

Nicotine is a natural organic compound extracted from tobacco plants. It is highly addictive and can cause different reactions in your body after reaching the bloodstream. This alkaloid stimulates adrenal glands to release adrenalin, causing blood pressure to rise and increases heart rate.

On the other hand, it increases dopamine levels, making it responsible for feelings of pleasure, amongst other functions. That way, nicotine intake provides a so-called Dopamine Hit during smoking.

The tobacco industry reached its peak in the twentieth century based on smokers’ need for satisfaction. Manufacturers explored ways to improve the production process, fulfill their consumers’ needs, and make a profit at the same time.

Their goal was to use less tobacco for one cigarette but still make it sufficiently filled. The next step was to reduce the tobacco waste since the ribs and stems of the plant were not included in the production. Finally, they sought a product with less tarry and lower nicotine levels.

What Is Nic Salt?

Nicotine salt is a specific type of naturally forming nicotine from tobacco leaves but with added benzoic, levulinic, or citric acid and blended with chosen E-juice. It is an excellent replacement for nicotine with primary use in vape.

This substance’s advantage is suppressing cravings for nicotine for a longer period. Before this fantastic option, vapers had a problem with freebase nicotine in E-juice that delivered a too-severe throat hit.

As a result, most vapers tried to solve that problem by reducing the nicotine percentage in juice. Unfortunately, this solution quickly puts vapers at great risk of giving up vaping and starting smoking again.

Now, Nic salts speed up the nicotine delivery rate and decrease the pH level, providing a smoother experience while vaping. Besides, they increase nicotine absorption by changing its chemical structure.

If you prefer this option, you will get an E-juice with a 50% PG: 50% VG ratio and high nicotine strengths of 10 to 20 mg/mL. This organic compound is an excellent option for vapers with high nicotine needs.

What is Freebase Nicotine?

Freebase is the nicotine in the purest possible form, mainly used in gums, patches, and e-juice. It is a regular ingredient in traditional cigarettes that absorbs in the bloodstream slowly, providing a strong throat hit.

It covers various E-liquids with a 50% PG: 50% VG ratio, high PG, or high VG. You can consider freebase as a preferable option for vapers who have low nicotine needs.

Be aware that freebase nicotine creates a throat hit similar to cigarettes. However, higher nicotine levels make the vaping experience unpleasant in this case. Therefore, typical freebase nicotine strength options are 0 to 6 mg/mL.

Still, some manufacturers experiment with higher nicotine levels, so you can also find those with 12 or 18 mg/mL nowadays. In any case, freebase nicotine is perfect for direct-to-lung vaping and has fans among vapers who enjoy large clouds.

Nicotine Salt vs. Freebase Nicotine

The purpose of Nic salts and freebase nicotine is the same, but they cause different reactions in vapers’ bodies. Besides the standard freebase nicotine option, many consumers are delighted with Nic salts as a new vaping method. However, which way is better for you depends on a few differences between the two, such as:

1. Nicotine Strength

Nicotine strength in vape is measured in mg/mL, and the ideal option for you depends on your experience, vaping habits, and level of cravings.

Nic salts are easier to vape and provide a smoother throat hit at high doses. Therefore, they are available at a nicotine strength of 18 or 20 mg/mL, making this option highly effective at eliminating smoking addiction.

On the other hand, freebase nicotine is ideal for vapers with low needs of this substance. In this case, the nicotine strength is typically 3 or 6 mg/mL but can come in the concentration of 0 mg/mL as a nicotine-free option.

2. Nicotine tolerance

Freebase is ideal for you if you have low nicotine needs. On the other hand, Nic salts are the preferable option for vapers with high nicotine tolerance.

3. Nicotine cravings

Both options are good at fulfilling nicotine cravings but in different ways. Nic salts provide a faster nicotine hit, while freebase nicotine reaches the bloodstream slower but brings a longer effect.

4. Flavors

Flavors enrich the entire vaping experience, so you should discover their potential to increase your satisfaction.

As you know, E-liquids contain two primary ingredients – PG, responsible for the flavor, and VG, which controls the cloud production level. Most products have them in a 50%: 50% ratio, but you can also experiment with different options.

Nic salts often come with a simple flavor profile thanks to benzoic or citric acid content that allows the nicotine to activate. That optimizes flavors.

On the other hand, a higher pH level of freebase nicotine provides complex aromas and a harsh, peppery taste. It should definitely be your choice if you prefer vapes with pronounced flavors.

5. Vaping technique

The great thing about vaping is that you can enjoy numerous techniques to fulfill your skill levels and specific needs. While Nic salts are mostly limited to mouth-to-lung, freebase nicotine provides more options.

Since you can use freebase nicotine with both direct-to-lung (sub-ohm) and mouth-to-lung vaping, most experienced vapers prefer it. The trick is in the possibility of creating more clouds.

6. Absorption

Nicotine from cigarettes takes about 10 to 20 seconds to reach the lungs and enter the bloodstream. On the other hand, Nic salts pass the same route for only 6 seconds, making this option perfect for ex-smokers.

Freebase nicotine works differently, and it takes longer to reach the bloodstream. That makes it ideal for casual smokers who enjoy gradual relief.

7. Throat hit

If you prefer harsh throat hits at high doses, freebase nicotine is what you need. That makes this option ideal for heavy smokers. On the other hand, Nic salts provide smooth to mild hits at high doses. This option never causes coughing and is preferable for casual smokers.

8. Head buzz

Thanks to high nicotine strength and fast absorption in the bloodstream, Nic salts quickly cause head buzz. It repeats every time, providing a feeling similar to having the first-morning cigarette puff.

On the other hand, freebase nicotine is more delicate and provides slow or moderate head buzz. That allows you to enjoy flavors more and frequently vape without unpleasant feelings.

9. Ideal wattage

Nic salts vs. freebase nicotine option depends on the used setup. If you prefer nicotine salts, you should pick out the device with lower wattages because too much nicotine taken with one inhale can be uncomfortable.

On the other hand, freebase better fits devices with higher wattage. It is the right solution for you if you are one of the vapers who enjoy huge clouds.

10. Device compatibility

The device compatibility ensures the ultimate vaping experience, so you should choose the right one depending on the nicotine type you prefer. The MTL kit type is recommended for Nic salts, while you should choose Sub-ohm kits when you like freebase nicotine more.

11. Health considerations

Both options are considered pretty safe, but there are still no results of studies evaluating the possible long-term side effects of vaping.

12. Safety

Nic salts and freebase nicotine are equally safe.

13. Cost and longevity

Choosing freebase nicotine is initially less expensive than Nic salts. However, nicotine salts reduce vaping because of more efficient nicotine delivery. Besides, they oxidize more slowly, providing higher chemical stability.

So, you can expect them to have a longer shelf life and stable nicotine quality. On the other hand, freebase nicotine has a significantly shorter expiration date because of faster oxidation. That requires more frequent refilling, which means increased expenses.

Summary

Nowadays, most manufacturers use two nicotine types for E-liquids. Nicotine salts are better for ex-smokers and those who like vapers with high nicotine needs. On the other hand, you should choose freebase nicotine if you prefer vapes with low nicotine levels. It is up to you!

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