Nicotine salts (or nic salts for short) is the latest hit product to hit the market, developed specifically for those seeking to vape higher concentrations of nicotine while retaining a surprisingly smooth draw. They are currently the most effective means of delivering nicotine to your body through a vape device. They provide a faster nicotine hit which can curb cravings quickly, within just a few puffs, making a huge difference for many new vapers who might’ve found conventional e-liquids unsatisfying.
In this guide, we’re going to delve into the ins and outs of nic salts and see whether they could be suited to you and your preferred vaping experience.
What are nic salts?
So, what exactly are nicotine salts? Well, put simply, nic salts are created when nicotine base is combined with an acid (usually benzoic acid) or multiple acids. This process results in a salt nicotine solution, with a significantly reduced throat hit on higher strength nicotine e-liquids. The term “nicotine salt” simply refers to the scientific definition of the chemical compound. It shares absolutely no similarities to the type of salt you’d have sprinkled over your chippy tea. Nicotine salts also naturally exist in tobacco, so if you’ve ever smoked a cigarette, you’ll have experienced the sensation of nic salts.
Nic salts mainly differentiate themselves from their counterparts by way of the more effective absorption of nicotine. Large numbers of vapers speak highly of nicotine salts for providing them with a more satisfying overall experience, with reduced harshness even when vaping the highest nicotine concentrations. Users of more low-powered devices, typically starter kits, are especially starting to embrace nic salts as they provide them with a more substantial hit of nicotine which is paramount to successfully making the switch from traditional cigarettes.
Nic salts vs. freebase nicotine: What’s the difference?
Now that we know a little about what exactly nicotine salts are, the question to answer is how do they differ from traditional freebase nicotine liquid? Conventional e-liquids use a form of nicotine known as “freebase”, which is extracted directly from tobacco and has all its impurities removed, leaving you with nicotine in its purest form. Freebase nicotine has a higher alkalinity and pH level. If this means nothing to you, let’s put it in layman’s terms. The higher the pH level, the more severe of a throat hit you’ll receive when vaping. The higher nicotine strength e-liquids only exacerbate this further.
Nicotine salts, on the other hand, are created by infusing specific acids to freebase nicotine. By doing so, the pH level of the solution is significantly reduced, resulting in less harshness and allowing for much higher nicotine percentages to be vaped.
Conventional e-liquids are unable to provide the same nicotine hit which is synonymous with nic salts. To use the same form of nicotine, it would have to be vaped at a much higher than usual milligram and even then it still wouldn’t offer the same level of absorption.
Outside of the points just mentioned, there isn’t a whole world of difference between standard e-liquids and nic salts. It comes in the same 10ml bottles you’re familiar with, has an array of flavours to choose from, and boasts the same health benefits as regular e-liquids. The main difference is the smoother and more substantial nicotine hit.
Is salt nicotine safe?
Put shortly, nic salts are probably just as safe (if not more so) than conventional e-liquids. Freebase nicotine comes with a higher alkalinity and pH level due to the way its refinement process. In nic salts, the benzoic acid lowers the alkalinity and pH levels.
There is room for concern surrounding the higher nicotine concentrations nic salts come available in. Due to the smoothness and near-immediate absorption rate of nic salts, nicotine poisoning can be possible when vaped excessively or used in high wattage, Sub-Ohm devices. You must remember that nic salts aren’t to be vaped in the same way as conventional e-liquids; take short gaps between each vape, allowing time for the nicotine to be absorbed so you can properly judge your intake.
Who uses nic salts?
Nic salts are most suited to those who seek a more substantial nicotine hit than that provided from conventional e-liquids. So, we’re talking mainly about those who are newly transitioning from traditional cigarettes to vaping and require a bigger nicotine hit to curb the cravings. They’re also a perfect cigarette replacement for those who have long intervals between vaping due to the longer-lasting nicotine hit they provide the user with. Those who would typically smoke a pack or more a day would benefit greatly from the use of nicotine salts.
Although heavier smokers will be very much used to the feeling of a throat hit when making the switch to vaping they may find an 18mg freebase strength to be overly harsh. This is the other area which nic salts excel in, by letting users enjoy the highest nicotine strengths while retaining a smooth hit sensation. They are compatible with many of the most popular pod systems on the market, making them further suited to newcomers.
How to use nic salts
A quick rule of thumb regarding the use of nic salts would be to only use them in an MTL (mouth to lung) device, ideally above 1.0 Ohm resistance. This is also the type of vaping setup you’ll want to have when making the switch. It’s recommended that you stay clear of using nic salts in high-powered Sub-Ohm devices due to their high nicotine concentration. There are lower strength nic salts now being produced which are aimed towards RDA or Sub-Ohm vapers, but for the most commonly found strengths, stick to pens and pod systems.
An ideal device would be the Vaporesso Zero. It’s inexpensive, portable, looks slick and most importantly, it’s very well suited to any and all salt nicotine e-liquids.
Buy nic salts at Vapable
If you’re perhaps looking to dip your feet into the world of nic salts, our online store is the perfect starting off point. A lot of the most beloved flavours have already been converted to nic salt form, allowing for a seamless transition from freebase e-liquids. We’ve highlighted three of the most popular nic salts currently available, let’s take a look at them.
- Heisenberg by Vampire Vape: The award-winning Heisenberg returns in nic salt form, providing you with the classic fruit and menthol blend but now available in 10mg or 20mg nicotine strength. They come in 10ml bottles mixed at a 50PG/50VG ratio.
- Blue Burst by Riot Squad: Blue Burst is another award-winning flavour which has recently been made available in nic salt form. Riot Squad use a hybrid nicotine blend, combining both freebase and salt nicotine. You’ll still benefit from the rapid absorption of nic salts, but with a more significant throat hit like that of freebase e-liquids. It comes available in a 10ml bottles at a 50PG/50VG mix.
- Lemon Tart by Dinner Lady: Voted UK’s best dessert flavour for three consecutive years, Dinner Lady’s Lemon Tart is now available in nic salt form. Enjoy the much-loved blend of sweet meringue and butter biscuit crust, now in nicotine strengths of 10mg and 20mg. Their nic salt range comes in 10ml bottles at a mix ratio of 50PG/50VG.
You can also purchase our own Nicotine Salt Shot available in the highest regulated strength of 20mg and in a 100% VG solution, ready to mix with your favourite concentrates to recreate the flavours you love with an added nicotine kick.
We hope we’ve helped clear up any confusion you may have had surrounding nic salts. If you think nic shots may be the right choice for you, why not give them a go and let us know what you think?
Thank you for reading our guide.