So, what are Nic Salts?
Nic salts are also known as nicotine salts and are a specific type of e-liquid with a slightly different composition to your traditional e-liquids using standard nicotine. If you pick up a beginners vaping kit or a pre-filled pod kit, the chances are you’ll get a standard nicotine e-liquid with them, but there are also other types of e-liquid that can be great for new users and experienced vapers alike, including nicotine salts.
Nicotine salts are a form of e-liquid that can deliver nicotine to the body more quickly than traditional standard e-liquids . This results in a much stronger, quicker and more intense nicotine rush than with standard nicotine e-liquids, which is one of the reasons nicotine salts are popular with new vapers of ex-smokers who are used to smoking quite heavily.
For new vapers in particular, the right strength of e-liquid is a really important factor in helping you not just enjoy vaping, but to help you kick the habit of cigarettes. Choosing the right nicotine strength for your e-liquid is vital when you first start vaping, as it may be the difference between a fun and pleasant vape experience and one that is unsustainable and does not fulfil your nicotine cravings sufficiently to stay away from cigarettes. The way both standard nicotine and nicotine salts affect your body in e-liquids is completely dependent on the user, so what works for one person might be completely different for another, and that is the joy of vaping!
Brief Science of Nicotine Salts
Nicotine salts are made when standard nicotine reacts with an acid. While they are called nicotine salts, these e-liquids do not actually contain any salt – this name refers to the chemical structure of the nicotine in nic salt formulas, so you do not need to be concerned about your sodium intake! Nicotine salts are made when the standard nicotine is mixed with an acid. Benzoic acid is the most used, but citric acid or a combination of the two is also common. Through this chemical reaction, the nicotine becomes less alkaline, which not only reduces that same throat hit sensation, but also means that the body can safely absorb nicotine salts far more quickly than standard nicotine, giving you that intense nicotine rush. The lower pH of nic salts also means that the temperature needed to vape is much lower than it would be without acid treatment, which means that users can vape nic salts at low temperatures, and vapers with smaller, less powerful devices can still comfortably use these e-liquids.
What Does Standard Nicotine Mean?
Standard nicotine in consumer goods today is the purest and most used source of nicotine, and it is what you will find in most e-liquids, as well as in traditional tobacco cigarettes. Since Marlboro started using it in their cigarettes in the 1960s, it has become standard for cigarettes, and when e-liquids came along they followed in the same footsteps!
Standard nicotine is also a very alkaline solution, which can cause an intense throat hit in stronger concentrations. For some vapers, this is a real draw, while for others it will turn them off if the hit is too strong, which is where nicotine salts can be a strong alternative.
Nicotine Salt vs. Standard Nicotine
Like so much in the world of vaping, there is no one form of nicotine or e-liquid that is better or worse than the other. It all comes down to personal preference, and the things that are important to you when you vape. There are pros and cons for both standard nicotine and nic salt e-liquids, and the perfect one for you might be completely different to someone else.
Advantages of Nicotine Salts
Nic salts are not for everyone, but for certain vapers, they provide a fantastically smooth and intense vape experience without any harsh throat hit or discomfort.
For new vapers who are used to smoking quite heavily, or who have been smoking for a very long time, nicotine salts are ideal as they allow you to get that same strong, satisfying consumption of nicotine that you’re used to, without any harshness that can be present in stronger standard nicotine formulas. By effectively satisfying your cravings, you are far less likely to turn back to smoking tobacco cigarettes in the long-term, and they also make a good, balanced companion to those trying to gradually cut down on smoking cigarettes without quitting cold turkey.
Nic salts are also excellent for beginner vapers as they are very suitable for use in pod vapes and lower-power devices. They do not need too much power as they can be vaporized at low temperatures, and since they are not made to produce huge vapor clouds, they can be simply and discreetly vaporized in a smaller, more compact unit, making it ideal for on-the-go users. These devices are smaller, more portable and easier to use than a large, clunky vape mod or more powerful device. They are perfect for mouth-to-lung vaping, which is the style most popular with new vapers and ex-smokers. Nic salts also have the added benefit of lasting longer per ml than many standard nicotine e-liquids, as you do not need to inhale as much e-liquid to get the same level of nicotine hit!
Advantages of Standard Nicotine
Standard nicotine e-liquids are far better at handling and carrying complex flavor profiles when compared to nicotine salt e-liquids. To get those classics vape flavors, including tobacco, sweets, drinks and desserts, there are many different complex flavor compounds needed, which standard nicotine vape juice can handle with ease. If the flavor of your vape is important to you, and you enjoy trying the thousands of e-liquid flavors out there, a standard nicotine formula might be the best choice for your e-cigarette. Nicotine salts, on the other hand, are better suited to more classics, basic flavor profiles, making them better for users who care more about their nicotine rush and throat hit than the flavor of their e-liquid.
Per ml, standard nicotine e-liquids are cheaper than nicotine salts as they do not require as much processing or ingredients, unlike nicotine salt e-liquids which must undergo their chemical reaction.
Whatever your preference, at Vaporized we have a wide range of salt nic and standard e-liquids designed to help you get the most out of your vape. To pick up yours, jump over to our Fantastic Flavors to look at our selection.