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Although the concept of vaping on something called nicotine salts, sounds a tad unappealing, the hype is pretty real. We have Snap + Go to thank for that - their pods popularized nicotine salts. 

 

What's are Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine is found in tobacco leaves. It’s found elsewhere (including in some everyday vegetables!) but tobacco leaves are particularly high in the substance. In tobacco, it’s found in the form of salts. But the salts don’t just contain nicotine – they also contain other compounds and protons.

 
Nicotine Salt is a type of nicotine that forms naturally in leaf tobacco and is generally considered to be a more stable form of nicotine vs. traditional freebase nicotine salt found in most e-liquids.  Nicotine Salt requires a higher temperature in order to properly vaporize and the ions don’t travel to the nicotine receptors in your body as easily.  In other words, Nicotine Salts are not the most efficient way to deliver nicotine to your body…so why use it? 
 

When you vape traditional freebase nicotine, most people wouldn’t choose something over 18mg, as the hit would be much too harsh.  However, with Nicotine Salts, most people who vape 3mg freebase nicotine are able to comfortably vape 25mg-50mg Nicotine Salts and Nicotine Salts help to mimic the sensation of smoking a combustible cigarette. 

Nicotine Salt e-liquids have a special ingredient called Benzoic Acid that helps to make Nicotine Salts as smooth and palatable in higher strengths.

Benzoic Acid serves a few purposes:

• allows nicotine to be vapourized at a lower temperature
• lowers the PH level of the nicotine
• makes the nicotine more absorbable

Because of this Benzoic Acid, most people are able to easily handle higher nicotine strengths and the Nicotine Salt is absorbed by your body much more efficiently.

 

Nicotine VS. Nicotine Salt

The biggest difference between Freebase Nicotine and Nicotine Salts is the harshness that higher levels of nicotine typically lead to.  Freebase Nicotine has a higher pH level which in turn affects the alkalinity, meaning that Freebase Nicotine gets much harsher as the nicotine level goes higher.  Because of the Benzoic Acid found in Nicotine Salts, they have a lower pH level and are therefore much more smooth and enjoyable. 

 

Advantages of Nicotine Salts

 

• Satisfaction: vapers who try conventional liquids for the first time often find that they don't get the same satisfaction or "punch" from their nicotine. 
• Smoother nicotine hit: smoother hit allowing you to vape higher nicotine concentrations.
• Less flavor impact: prefer nicotine-free e-liquids may notice a marked difference in flavor, despite smoking the same product. Salts have next-to-no effect in this area, leading to a richer, flavorful, and more enjoyable vaping experience.
• Nicotine salts provide a blood absorption rate closer to an actual cigarette. This is beneficial to those trying to quit smoking because nicotine salt e-liquid is mimicking the effects of that cancer stick your trying to put down. Therefore, if you are struggling with the transition to vaping because you are not getting the same effects as a cigarette then you might want to give nicotine salt e-juice a try.
• Higher nicotine strengths available.

 

Disadvantages of Nicotine Salts

 

• Too much for some: While heavy smokers need a heavy dose of nicotine, lighter smokers can make do in the 3-12mg nicotine range. This also happens to be the ultimate sweet spot for sub-ohm devices. As a result, people can use smooth, high-VG e-juices in their sub-ohm tank and feel completely content with the experience they get.
• Fewer options: Nicotine salts are limiting because you'll generally have to stick to vape pens and pods like Snap + Go. 
• Lower fun factor: Nicotine salts are the perfect choice if you need a strong dose of nicotine and prefer a more cigarette-like experience. 

 

Who should use Nicotine Salt?

Nicotine Salts are one of the most effective types of nicotine to help aid cigarette smokers in ditching the habit.  Due to the higher nicotine content, Nicotine Salts more closely resemble the effects of smoking a cigarette and therefore help curb the craving. 

Using Nicotine Salts would be the fact that they're designed for use in smaller, lower wattage devices like the Aspire Breeze 1 and Breeze 2. Nicotine Salts will help to satisfy your craving in smaller and more concentrated does. 

 

Are Nicotine Salts Right for You?

This is where things get tricky, and only you will know the answer. So when you're deciding what to do, ask yourself the following questions:
 

• Am I a heavy smoker (one or more packs a day)?
• Do I want a more genuine smoking experience, or am I looking for something new?
• Will I want smooth vapor and high nicotine?
• Do I need a stronger or more subtle nicotine "punch" (buzz)? 
• Is discretion important, or are massive clouds my thing?
• How much money do I initially want to spend?

These are just guidelines. Starting off with a small device and using nicotine salts is a good approach, and you can always switch to high-VG/lower-nicotine sub-ohm setups as you wean yourself off and start to branch out. In fact – salt or no salt – it's better to grasp the basics with a simple vaporizer before navigating through the different types of coils, tanks, and settings.