Nicotine Salts vs. Freebase Nicotine: What’s The Difference between them?

Nicotine salts, for those of you who are unfamiliar, are a form of nicotine that is more readily absorbed by the body and provides you with a vape juice with a higher nicotine concentration without the harsh throat hit you might expect. When nicotine levels are high, the throat hit is usually harsher. Because of this problem, a lot of prospective vapers get turned away because they are unable to get as much nicotine as they need. The nicotine salts are a great alternative if you want a higher amount of nicotine without vaping constantly (or dealing with excess harshness).

Nicotine salts are a great option for vapers who:

  • Want to stop smoking cigarettes
  • Want to try vaping but don’t know where to begin
  • Are looking for a throat hit similar to smoking and more nicotine
  • Attempted vaping before without success

In this article, we will examine the differences between nicotine salts and freebase nicotine in detail and which is the best option for you.

Freebase Nicotine: What Is It?

You must first understand freebase nicotine in order to understand nicotine salts. The purest form of nicotine is freebase. As a result, freebasing is the most effective way to deliver nicotine to the body. Freebasing nicotine, that is, converting it from its natural salt state to a base, makes it more bioavailable and allows for quicker absorption in your lungs and brain. What is the reason behind the switch to nicotine salts among so many vapers if freebase nicotine is more potent?

Nicotine Salts: What Are They?

Simply put, nicotine salt is the natural state of nicotine present in tobacco leaves. Nicotine salt is more stable and less volatile than freebase nicotine. Nic salts can also withstand higher temperatures, and the ions are less likely to reach your body’s nicotine receptors. Why is it so popular if it’s not as effective as freebase nicotine?

In a nutshell, nicotine salts can enhance the flavor of vape juice and make the experience more similar to smoking traditional cigarettes when it comes to nicotine levels. A key component of nicotine salts is benzoic acid. It achieves two important goals: first, it makes nicotine salts vaporise at a lower temperature for a smoother throat hit; second, it makes nicotine more bioavailable, meaning it can be absorbed as easily as freebase nicotine.

What’s the best choice for you – Freebase nicotine or nicotine salts?

When it comes to vaping, nicotine salts versus freebase nicotine differ based on how they impact your vaping experience. E-liquids containing freebase nicotine and those containing nicotine salts behave differently. Due to their lower alkalinity, nicotine salts generally provide a smoother throat hit. Additionally, nicotine salts have a higher bioavailability (read: effectiveness) than freebase nicotine. Nicotine salts also offer the advantage of being much easier to use than freebase nicotine, especially for new vapers. The SMOK Vape or Vuse Pods are fantastic choices if you’re interested in trying nicotine salts out for the first time.

William V. Buckner