Freebase Nicotine vs Nicotine Salts: Which is For Me?

Freebase Nicotine vs Nicotine Salts: Which is For Me?

3 November 2021 | Hannah-Rubery

Freebase Nicotine vs Nicotine Salts: Which is For Me? (Image)

Whether you’re looking to make the switch from smoking to vaping, or want to try something new from regular strength vaping, the key is to do your research. Deciding on what you want out of your E-Liquids will help you decide which to use.


Deciding Factors for Your Choice


Whether you’re looking to make the switch from smoking to vaping, or want to try something new from regular strength vaping, the key is to do your research. Deciding on what you want out of your E-Liquids will help you decide which to use.



First off, look at your nicotine strength.

There are varying strengths available on the market and the right strength is an important start. Too weak and it won’t keep away the cigarette cravings – too strong and it may be too harsh or make you feel lightheaded. Those looking to transition from regular cigarette smoking will more than likely need a higher nicotine level such as 18mg to 20mg – although note that nicotine may feel stronger depending on how you vape, so don’t worry if you feel the need to lower your strength sooner.

Secondly, are you looking to chase clouds or simply enjoy your vape as a way of quitting smoking? Some E-Liquids lend themselves more to creating large clouds when releasing, while others offer a more subdued cloud perfect for less conspicuous vapers.

Are you looking for complex flavours like baked desserts or elaborate cocktails to enhance your vaping, or do you just prefer simpler flavours like fruit, menthol, and tobacco? Even this can lend itself to a preference between Freebase and Nicotine Salts. So, let’s look at what exactly are Freebase Nicotine and Nicotine Salts.

Nic Nic infographics nicotine salt vs freebase (Image)

What is Freebase Nicotine?

The original nicotine E-Liquid, Freebase Nicotine is created by converting nicotine into its purest form. This increases its potency without increasing the dose. Due to this it creates a strong hit which can feel a bit too strong at super high nicotine strengths or for first time vapers.

These can also feel harsher on the throat which tailors them more for people who are used to it/prefer the feeling from cigarette smoking, or those who like to only puff a little throughout the day. E-Liquids using Freebase Nicotine offer the closest feeling to cigarette smoking and due to the pure form of the Nicotine, it allows room for more complex flavours to be explored.



What are Nicotine Salts?

Pod Salt awarded best nicotine salt 2021 (Image)

A recent development in the vaping world, Nicotine Salts are the revolutionary step to creating the perfect E-Liquid for helping smokers quit. This product is created from taking Freebase Nicotine and adding an acid (such as Benzoic or Citric acid) to balance the pH, creating a more neutral nicotine that provides a gentler throat hit and neutral flavours. Nicotine Salt is actually the original base of nicotine extracted from the tobacco plant making it perfectly natural. Because of the balancing done to the nicotine to create the Nicotine Salts, higher strengths of nicotine can be achieved and be enjoyed without treating your throat to a harsh hit.



So what’s the difference?

It may not seem it but there are a lot of ways these two differ. Let’s list a few…



NICOTINE SALTS

FREEBASE NICOTINE

Absorbed faster into the bloodstream

Has a slower rate

Smooth even at higher dosages

Harsh at higher dosages

Does not tend to offer large cloud production

Enables large cloud production

Are ideal for new vapers or those in the midst of quitting

Is suited to vapers with lower nicotine requirements

Has a long shelf life

Has a short shelf life

Suited for mount-to-lung vaping (MTL)

Suited for direct-to-lung vaping (DTL)

Less liquid needed for a comparable nicotine hit

More liquid needed for a comparable nicotine hit



Decide for yourself…

Bearing in mind all these factors, it is really up to you which type of E-Liquid you use. We can only advise what we think you may like, but in the end the only one who truly knows, is you. Before sinking straight into the world of vape kits and pod systems, why not test the waters with disposable devices? There are both Freebase Nicotine and Nicotine Salt disposable devices available in an array of flavours, and once you’ve found your favourite, then you can research which device you should use.

If you’re a new vaper looking to quit smoking, Nicotine Salts are certainly a great starting point, delivering a higher nicotine strength that most seasoned smokers will need and giving you a smooth delivery that make the switch even more comfortable.

If you’re looking to control or lower your nicotine intake and especially if you’ve been vaping for some time, Freebase Nicotine is a great way for you to enjoy a wide range of flavours whilst lowering your nicotine strength, without suffering the harsh hit to the throat that comes with higher strengths.