What are Nic Salts?

The vaping landscape is dotted with new trends and technologies designed to provide vape aficionados with the best possible experience. One of the newer additions that have gained momentum in recent years is the emergence of nicotine salts or nicotine salts. They are a great addition that has allowed vapers to get more out of vaping nicotine salts without the uncomfortable harshness on the throat that comes with vaping high nicotine concentrations.

Nic salts have been around for some time but are not well understood, mainly because freebase nicotine has been around for so long. This guide takes a deep dive into nic salts and even highlights a few great options you should consider.

What are Nic Salts?

Nicotine salts are a different type of nicotine than the one found on tobacco plant leaves. They are also different from traditional nicotine used in regular vape juices, which is known as freebase nicotine.

Nic salts are formed by combining nicotine with benzoic acid. The bonding process creates a stable product with a lower pH than freebase nicotine.

The lower pH level contributes to a smoother and less harsh throat hit, providing vapers with a more enjoyable vaping experience. Additionally, nicotine salts are more stable on a molecular level, meaning that you can keep them for longer without them oxidising or breaking down. Also, nicotine salts absorb into your body differently.

How Do Nic Salts Work?

Understanding how nic salts work requires some basic understanding of science. Nic salts owe their unique benefits to their chemical structure. Unlike freebase nicotine, which is stripped-down and alkaline at its core, nic salts are combined with an acid, resulting in a more stable molecule. This combination unleashes the new benefits that nic salts have come to be known for.

The salts' neutralised pH level is closer to the body's pH level, which means that they are absorbed more smoothly and efficiently. The reduced harshness allows vapers to go for higher concentrations, making them a go-to choice for those craving a more substantial hit without any discomfort.  

How are Nic Salts Different from Freebase Nicotine?

When buying vape liquids or pre-filled vape devices, they will come in nic salts or freebase nicotine. More devices and vape juice brands are opting to use nic salts in their vape, and freebase nicotine is becoming rarer in the vaping world. A close look at the differences between the two forms of nicotine makes the case for nic salts:

They are Absorbed Differently

Nic salts are incredibly fast-acting and can be absorbed into your bloodstream within 6 seconds. Ideally, nic salts were designed to give the same nicotine rush as cigarettes, but they are absorbed more quickly and leave your system faster as well.

This means nic salts can alleviate your craving more quickly and with fewer puffs than freebase nicotine. Freebase nicotine takes slightly longer to hit your system and builds up over time. It is slower to peak and slower to leave your system. For this reason, nic salts are a significant hit among ex-smokers because they offer that near-instant satisfaction of nicotine that freebase nicotine doesn't.

Flavour and Throat Hit is Different

When vaping, flavour is a huge part of the experience. For nicotine lovers, there is a downside because the flavour is impacted by high-strength freebase e-liquids.

High nicotine concentration gives the vape juice a more peppery flavour and also makes the throat hit harsher.

Nic salts attempt to solve the challenge by having a more neutral pH. They have a much softer throat hit even at high levels and don't affect the flavour of the e-liquid, allowing you to enjoy both the flavour and satisfy your craving.

Another essential factor to consider is that nic salts vaporise at a lower temperature. This makes them ideal for low-powered, mouth-to-lung kits. The addition of benzoic acid also means that the hit you get from a nic salt feels stronger than that of freebase nicotine of the same concentration without that harsh feeling on the inhale.   

Benefits of Nic Salts

The goal when consuming nicotine is to satisfy your craves, and both forms of nicotine are capable of doing that. So why should you go for nic salts over the freebase alternative?

Smoother More Satisfying Hits

When it comes to vaping, the experience is everything. Nicotine salt e-liquids make your vaping experience more satisfying because they can provide an exceptionally smoother and more satisfying inhale. Unlike their freebase counterparts, which have a harsh throat hit, nicotine salts are formulated in a 50/50 ratio to offer a gentler and more refined sensation.

Faster Nicotine Delivery

Another benefit of taking nic salts over freebase nicotine vape liquid is how quickly the nicotine is delivered. In today's fast-paced environment, waiting for anything feels like an eternity. Nic salts can make you experience more rapid because they are more readily absorbed in the body. The unique chemical composition of nic salts makes them easier to absorb into the bloodstream more rapidly than freebase nicotine. Whether you're a former smoker chasing a seamless transition or a vaper who craves instant gratification, nicotine salts are just what you need.

Discreet Vapour Production

Traditional vapers may appreciate the voluminous vapour production of traditional vape juice. But if you prefer something that is more discrete and mimics the smoking experience more closely, nic salts are your best bet. This is especially appealing to users on the go who would instead not draw attention to themselves when vaping in public. With nic salts, you can strike a balance between subtlety and satisfaction.

Who Are Nic Salts Best For?

Like many other things about vaping, you might be wondering whether nic salts are for you. When it comes to choosing what to add to your vaping experience and what to bypass, it’s all about personal experiences, habits and preferences.

For the most part, nic salts are a no-brainer for transitioning smokers who are just getting into vaping. They are particularly suited to those smokers who need a super strong nicotine level and don't want to set their throat on fire in the process.

But former smokers aren't the only ones who can benefit from the advantages of nicotine salt vape liquids. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine if nicotine salts are a good choice for you, too.

What’s Your Vaping Style?

Nic salt e-liquids are best suited for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, which simulates the sensation of smoking. Traditional freebase nicotine is more versatile and can handle MTL and DTL vaping styles.

If you’re an experienced vaper or you recently quit smoking, MTL vaping is the best starting point for you. This vaping method is designed to provide a cigarette-like experience and is less intense than DTL vaping.

Are You a Smoker Looking to Switch?

Nic salt e-liquids are a top choice for individuals transitioning from smoking to vaping. If you're accustomed to the quick and satisfying nicotine delivery of cigarettes, nic salts will definitely be your ally. They offer rapid absorption into the bloodstream with a smoother inhale that is very similar to smoking a cigarette. Ultimately, this makes your transition more manageable and increases the chances of success.

Are You Seeking a Strong Nicotine Hit?

When determining whether nicotine salts are ideal for you, you should consider whether you're looking for a robust nicotine hit.

Nic salts work best in the realm of high nicotine concentrations. They are perfect when you have a high nicotine intake but want to avoid the harshness associated with traditional freebase nicotine. With nicotine salts, you can enjoy the satisfaction of high nicotine levels without your throat paying the price.

How to Use Nic Salts

Nicotine salts add an extra layer of satisfaction to the experience. However, to make the most of them, you have to know how to use them effectively.

Choosing the Right Device

Nicotine salts are best enjoyed with vape kits specifically designed for them. Experienced vapers can get away with choosing a device that they love but can still work with their e-liquid. If you don't want to take the same risk, you can choose a nicotine salt disposable vape device like the Double Drip Disposable Vape 20mg.

When choosing the devices, go for ones optimised for MTL vaping. This will give you the closest experience to smoking. Also, such devices have a lower output and efficient vaporisation that works perfectly for nicotine salts.

Nicotine Strength

One of the benefits of nicotine salts is that you have plenty of concentration options to pick from. For people with a high nicotine appetite, there’s the comfort of going as high as necessary without any discomfort. You should always pick something that matches your current nicotine intake. You can go as low as 3mg of nicotine to as high as 20mg, which is offered by options such as Salt Nicotine Shot by Nic Nic.

Conclusion

Nic salts are an exciting addition to the vaping world. They allow vapers to customise their vaping experience and get the right satisfaction without adding discomfort to their throats. With what you now know about nicotine salts, you can purchase the product confidently and usher in a new wave of vaping experience.