If you’re a vaper, you may have come across the term “nicotine salts” while browsing e-juices at your local vape shop. Nicotine salts have been a topic of discussion within the vaping community, with claims that they offer a better vaping experience compared to regular freebase nicotine e-liquids. But what exactly are nicotine salts, and how do they differ from traditional vape juices? In this article, we will delve into the world of nicotine salts, exploring their composition, benefits, and safety considerations.
Understanding Traditional Freebase Nicotine
To better understand what nicotine salts are, it’s important to first understand what traditional ‘freebase’ nicotine is. This is the nicotine that is ordinarily found in e-liquids and is the purest form of nicotine. This nicotine has long been preferred for vaping because it is more easily vaporized when paired with the PG/VG in your e-liquid and thus delivers readily available nicotine to your bloodstream.Freebase nicotine is the same type of nicotine that is found in nicotine replacement patches, nicotine gums, inhalers, and lozenges. No doubt that freebase nicotine is a great form of nicotine.Back in the 1960s, Phillip Morris of Marlboro discovered that ‘freebase nicotine’ paired with ammonia led to much more nicotine being more easily absorbed into the bloodstream. This meant a more satisfying and addictive cigarette which led to the success of Marlboro, and speaks wonders to the effectiveness of freebase nicotine.
What are Nicotine Salts?
Nicotine salts are a different form of nicotine that occurs naturally in tobacco leaves. While it isn’t possible to vape this form of nicotine by itself without extremely high temperatures, the researchers at Pax Labs (the creators of the JUUL) discovered a solution — benzoic acid.By carefully considering the conditions in which the nicotine salt would be vaped, such as temperature, the researchers at Pax Labs used benzoic acid to formulate a nicotine salt e-juice that delivers a high concentration of available nicotine that is more easily and readily absorbed into the bloodstream.Benzoic acid also serves another important purpose in nicotine salts. While unpaired nicotine salts are naturally high in pH (acidic) and thus produce vapor that is harsh to inhale, benzoic acid reduces the pH of the nicotine salts while still providing a large amount of available nicotine.The end result is a more satisfying vape, without the harsh throat hit that you would get with high freebase nicotine e-liquids.
Benefits of Nicotine Salts
Nicotine salts offer several benefits that make them appealing to certain vapers:
- More nicotine that is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream: Compared to traditional freebase nicotine, nicotine salts deliver much more nicotine into your bloodstream much more quickly. This means that you’ll satisfy that nicotine craving a lot faster than you would using traditional freebase nicotine e-liquids.
- Smoother hit at higher nicotine concentrations: Unlike the harsh throat hit from a high nicotine e-juice, nicotine salts deliver all the nicotine you need but in a smooth hit that doesn’t hurt.
- You’ll use less e-juice, and save more money: Because nicotine salts have a higher concentration of nicotine that is more quickly and more easily absorbed when compared to freebase nicotine e-liquids, you’ll use less juice to get satisfied. In turn, you’ll be vaping less and going through less juice — it’s a win-win!
- You don’t need an expensive/powerful mod: Because nicotine salts are best vaped at lower wattages, you don’t need to have the most expensive or powerful mod in order to get the most out of them. A device like the Aspire Breeze is great for nicotine salts, and fires at 0.6ohms at a low wattage.
Are Nicotine Salts Safe?
From all of the information that we currently have available, nicotine salts appear to be as safe as traditional freebase nicotine. Because the nicotine will affect the body in the same way, there appears to be no difference in risks and effects.However, there is one key difference from freebase nicotine e-liquids, and that is benzoic acid. While benzoic acid is generally recognized as safe for ingestion and has a very low toxicity (benzoic acid occurs naturally in many foods such as cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and most berries), there isn’t much research concerning inhalation.Despite this, nicotine salts are still going to be a much safer option than smoking cigarettes. If you’re currently struggling to stick with vaping traditional e-juice, you should still give nicotine salt e-juices a try.One way that nicotine salts may possibly be safer than traditional freebase nicotine e-liquids is that you inhale less vapor. Because you’re getting more nicotine with each draw, you won’t be vaping as much.
Are Nicotine Salts Addictive?
Just like in freebase nicotine e-liquids, it is still the nicotine in nicotine salts that makes it addictive. Thus nicotine salts are just as addictive as freebase nicotine juices, and should be treated with the same care. Although, because the nicotine is more quickly and readily absorbed into the bloodstream when using nicotine salts, they may actually be more addictive than freebase nicotine e-liquids.
Conclusion
Nicotine salts have gained popularity in the vaping community for their ability to deliver higher concentrations of nicotine more quickly and smoothly. They offer benefits such as a more satisfying vape, reduced e-liquid consumption, and compatibility with lower wattage devices. While nicotine salts are generally considered safe, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with inhaling benzoic acid. As with any nicotine-containing product, it’s crucial to use nicotine salts responsibly and be mindful of their addictive nature. If you’re considering trying nicotine salts, consult with a knowledgeable vape shop or healthcare professional to determine if they are the right choice for you.
- Teen Zyn Use Soars as Vaping Declines Slightly: Study - May 2, 2025
- Uzbekistan Senate Approves Ban on E-cigarette Import and Sale - April 30, 2025
- Louisiana Lawmakers Propose Higher Vape Taxes - April 25, 2025