What is a Nicotine Salt?
It is a form of nicotine found naturally in tobacco. They're specially formulated with benzoic acid into e-liquid, which makes them less harsh. This means you can vape higher nicotine strengths, like 10mg and 20mg, without the strong throat hit usually associated with high-nicotine e-liquids.
How Are Nic Salt Liquids Made?
Nic Salts are prepared following a special chemical process explained below:- Extraction of Nicotine: Nicotine is first extracted from tobacco plants, similar to freebase production.
- Acidification: The extracted freebase nicotine is then reacted with a mild acid to form a salt.
- Lowering pH: The addition of the acid lowers the pH level (up to 5) of the nicotine, making it less alkaline and offering a smoother sensation.
- Blending: The newly formed solution is then blended with a 50/50 PG/VG mixture and flavourings to create the final product.
Nic Salt Liquids vs. Freebase E-Liquids
Knowing the key differences between nic salt vape juices and freebase e-liquids is vital to choose the perfect option for a customised style. Nic Salts, due to their low pH, deliver an incredibly smooth throat hit, even at high nicotine strengths, promise faster nicotine absorption, and quickly satisfy cravings. They are available only in 10 and 20mg nic strengths. In contrast, Freebase E-Liquids give a harsher throat hit, especially at higher strengths, and absorb nicotine more gradually. These are best suited for higher-wattage, sub-ohm devices, providing impressive vapour clouds and a strong throat sensation. You can find them in nicotine strengths of 0 mg, 3 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, and 18 mg.
Read our guide on the difference between nic salts and e-liquids for a more detailed understanding.
