Vaping is a popular alternative to smoking, with various devices and e-liquids available. Two primary e-liquid types are salt nic and freebase nicotine. Knowing their key differences can help you choose the best option for your needs.
Salt nic e-liquids, developed by JUUL, are a newer innovation in vaping. They’ve gained popularity and are now widely used by various brands and device manufacturers.
What Are Nicotine Salts?
Nicotine salts are a natural form of nicotine found in tobacco leaves, where nicotine is bound to an organic acid, giving it its “salt” form.
Common salt nicotine bases used in vaping include:
- Benzoic acid
- Levulinic acid
- Citric acid
The Science Behind Nicotine Salts
Nicotine salts offer a smoother vaping experience due to their lower pH (5-7), compared to freebase nicotine’s higher pH (8-9). This lower pH makes nicotine more bioavailable, enhancing absorption and delivering satisfaction with less vapor.
The JUUL Breakthrough
JUUL’s 2015 launch of its pod-based vape system with nicotine salts was a game changer. Their high nicotine concentrations provided strong throat hits yet maintained smoothness, fueling the rise of nic salt vaping.
Pros of Using Nicotine Salts
There are several potential benefits to vaping nicotine salts compared to freebase nic:
- Smoother throat hit at higher strengths
- Faster nicotine absorption
- Satisfaction from less vapor
- Mimics analog cigarette feel
- Easy switch for new vapers
Due to the smoothness of salt nic, it allows higher nicotine concentrations to be vaped comfortably. This makes salts ideal for transitioning from smoking.
FREEBASE NICOTINE IN VAPE JUICE
Before nicotine salts, all vape juice used freebase nicotine, also known as “regular” nicotine. It differs chemically from the natural salt form found in tobacco leaves.
The Freebase Production Process
Freebase nicotine is created by chemically processing nicotine molecules with alkaline solutions, which removes protons and raises the pH to between 8-9. This process “frees” the nicotine from its salt bonds, making it harsher and less easily absorbed when vaped or ingested.
Grades of Freebase Nicotine
There are a few grades of freebase nicotine used in vape juice:
- Pharmaceutical grade: Highest purity for medical applications
- Food grade: High purity but may have slight taste
- Technical grade: Cheaper but may impart flavor
Most vape juice uses food or pharmaceutical grade for best results. Technical grade is lower quality with potential taste issues
Pros of Freebase Nicotine
Freebase nicotine provides benefits such as a wide range of nicotine strengths, strong throat hit, and compatibility with sub ohm devices. It also allows users more control over nicotine levels and remains a standard choice for vaping, especially with its compatibility for sub ohm devices alongside the smooth nature of nicotine salts.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SALT NIC AND FREEBASE
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each nicotine type, let’s directly compare some of the major ways that nic salts and freebase differ.
Throat Hit and Harshness
Freebase nicotine’s higher acidity causes a harsher throat hit, whereas nicotine salts’ neutral pH provides smoother inhales. Salt nic allows for higher nicotine concentrations without the harshness of freebase, even on basic pod devices.
Nicotine Strength Options
Nicotine salt juices typically range from 25-50 mg/mL, occasionally reaching 60 mg/mL, ideal for low-powered devices delivering strong nicotine hits. Freebase nicotine ranges from 0 mg to 24 mg/mL, with higher strengths often too harsh for most pod systems.
Vapor Production and Density
Nicotine salts require less vapor production due to higher nicotine concentrations, resulting in low-density vapor that dissipates quickly. Freebase nicotine, in contrast, produces dense vapor clouds, relying more on vapor volume than nicotine strength to deliver nicotine.
New User Friendliness
Nicotine salts mimic the feel and absorption of traditional cigarettes, easing the transition to vaping for new users. Experienced vapers prefer the stronger hits and lower nicotine levels of freebase, although its harshness can deter newcomers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Now that we’ve explored the key differences between freebase and salt nicotine, let’s answer some common questions vapers have when deciding between them.
Can You Use Any Nicotine in a Vape?
Freebase and nicotine salts are the primary options for vaping, though other forms exist, using them may affect performance and safety. Always use nicotine intended for vape juice and avoid extracting from other sources. Stick with reputable e-liquid brands for safety
Do Salts Deliver Nicotine Faster?
Nicotine salts absorb faster into the bloodstream due to their natural pH, providing a quicker nicotine hit compared to freebase at the same strength. This rapid satisfaction makes salts perfect for quick breaks or nicotine boosts during intermittent vaping.
Is Freebase Nicotine Harsh?
Higher concentrations of freebase nicotine, typically above 12-24 mg/mL, can be harsh on the throat, tasting peppery and causing a burning sensation. This limits the nicotine strength suitable for direct lung vaping. Nicotine salts revolutionized higher strength vaping in pod devices by reducing throat harshness.
Can You Sub Ohm Nicotine Salts?
Lower strength nicotine salts can be vaped in some sub ohm tanks, but they may perform poorly due to their viscosity and rapid absorption, leading to dry hits or muted flavor. Salts are best suited for pods and mouth to lung devices. For optimal performance, use traditional freebase juices with sub ohm devices like mods and rebuildable atomizers.
Which Lasts Longer in Vape Juice?
There’s a perception that nicotine salts may not last as long as freebase before going “bad,” but evidence supporting this is limited. When stored correctly, both types should last similarly before nicotine oxidation occurs.
CONCLUSION
Vaping has evolved significantly from early cigalike devices to embrace nicotine salts, offering potent yet smooth high-strength vaping. This innovation has made vaping more satisfying and accessible for smokers transitioning away from cigarettes.
While freebase e-liquid suits sub ohm setups with its broader nicotine range, nicotine salts excel in pod systems and for new vapers seeking quick nicotine hits and a cigarette-like draw.
With both salt nic and freebase options widely accessible, vapers can customize their experience with clouds, flavor, or rapid nicotine satisfaction across different devices.
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