When e-cigarettes and vape pens first become popular with smokers and non-smokers alike, the nicotine content came in one form: freebase. Freebase nicotine is the same as what you find in cigarettes; a clever formula to improve the smoking sensation.
CONTENTS
- What is Freebase Nicotine?
- What are Nicotine Salts?
- Freebase Nicotine vs. Nicotine Salts
- What Devices Can Handle Nicotine Salts?
- What Nicotine Salt Strengths are Available?
- Time to Buy
While freebase nicotine is effective for getting that much-needed nicotine hit, it can be harsh on your throat. You grow used to that peppery, strong flavour, but you can find that you’re likely to suffer from a sore throat before you feel like you’ve had enough nicotine. Thus, nicotine salts were created to combat many of those problems.
There are many differences between nicotine salts and freebase nicotine, so read on to discover which E liquid with which nicotine type will be right for you.
What is Freebase Nicotine?
Freebase nicotine is treated nicotine that has had its positive charge removed. It travels freely throughout your body, with more of it able to reach your bloodstream for best effect.
Freebase nicotine is harsh on your throat, with it being more potent with the higher strength you choose. It’s still favoured by many, but some people have found the switch to nicotine salts from freebase nicotine has been beneficial for them.
What are Nicotine Salts?
Nicotine salts are freebase nicotine with Benzoic acid, a binding agent. Benzoic acid brings the nicotine to as close to neutral as possible, which removes the harshness of the hit and makes it far more pleasurable to inhale from your vape device.
Because nicotine salts are smoother than freebase nicotine E liquids, you can consume higher doses of nicotine. You can then use your vape pen less because you’re getting more nicotine in one go.
The addition of Benzoic acid also means your body can absorb the nicotine better while lowering its activation temperature. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Freebase Nicotine vs. Nicotine Salts
When you start looking at all the E liquids for sale online in New Zealand, you come to realise just how many options there are. It can be quite a challenge to find the one that’s right for you!
If the sheer number of flavours don’t make the decision harder, then trying to decide whether you purchase nicotine salts or freebase nicotine will! You have to think about the pros and cons of each.
Freebase nicotine may be harsh, but it has many other benefits to counteract it. It lasts a long time in your body, and you don’t have to use it only in low-powered devices. Almost any vape pen can handle freebase nicotine.
Nicotine salts, on the other hand, offer a smooth hit and almost-instant nicotine relief. The downside is that you must use it in a low power vape product because of the chemical complexities and high nicotine strength.
What Devices Can Handle Nicotine Salts?
If you have decided that nicotine salts are right for you, then make sure your device can handle them. If you’re unsure, get in touch with a reputable E liquid and vape product supplier in New Zealand.
There is a new product on the market, known as a Pod Mod, which specifically caters to nicotine salts. They come with a high-resistance coil, restricted airflow, and low power output.
While the features are much the same as a standard vape pen, it has a few differences. Instead of replacing the coil section of your atomiser, you replace the entire atomiser, called the pod.
You can also now purchase mouth-to-lung (MTL) rebuildable atomisers for nicotine salt-compatible vape pens. In the past, these were only suitable for high power vape products.
One way to know whether your vape device is suitable for nicotine salts is by checking the atomiser. If its resistance is 1.0 OHM or over, you can use it with a restricted airflow and low wattage output.
What Nicotine Salt Strengths are Available?
The most common strength options for freebase nicotine are 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 mg. Because of the smooth hit of nicotine salts, the nicotine strength is much higher in this product.
You can choose from a full range of nicotine salt concentrations, from around 25mg all the way up to 75mg. Many people prefer the middle ground of around 50mg. If you are switching from freebase to salts, consider starting on a low strength E-liquid. If it’s not strong enough, you can increase it with time.
Time to Buy
There is a noticeable difference between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts, but it’s not until you compare the two - or try one for the first time - do you realise how significant it is. Nicotine salts are often many people’s preference, but the flavour and device variety are certainly in freebase nicotine’s favour. Why not give them both a try and see if they’re right for you?