What is Nicotine Salt Made From?
Nicotine salts are made by mixing naturally occurring nicotine found within the tobacco leaf with a weak acid. This neutralises the nicotine, which is naturally alkaline, otherwise making it harsh to vape without the added acid. In scientific terms, the combined elements are described as a “salt,” thus coining the name “Nic Salt”.
Nic salt e-liquid is also created with the same key ingredients as any other vape juice, these core ingredients being: Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerol (VG) and premium flavourings.
What is Nicotine Salt in Vaping?
Nicotine salt vape juice is an alternative to freebase e-liquid. Like freebase nicotine, it contains a 50/50 PG to VG ratio, but has more flavouring and a different process of mixing in the nicotine. Nic salts provide an immediate hit when compared to the onset hit from freebase nicotine. Many vapers tend to prefer the immediate rush that nicotine salts provide.
How is Salt Nicotine Different to Freebase?
Freebase nicotine causes an increasingly intense throat hit as nicotine contents increase. With nic salts, however, there is minimal throat hit even at the highest nicotine strengths. This tends to be preferable to many vapers, although many also enjoy the sensation of a throat hit.
Nicotine salts also offer higher nicotine concentrations of up to 20mg, compared to freebase nicotine at 18mg. Where freebase nicotine has a normal flavour profile associated with vaping, nic salts have double-concentrated flavours, meaning a much more intense flavour profile.
How is Salt Nicotine Made?
Salt nicotine itself does exist within tobacco plants, but they can also be created externally by adding a weak acid to a nicotine base. Commonly used acids in this process include benzoic, lactic, levulinic and salicylic acids. Once they’re mixed, the salt reaches a neutral state, which is why there’s much less of a throat hit, if any, when using nic salts compared to freebase nicotine.
Different Salt Acids Explained
How Do We Use Salt Nicotine At LiQuid?
At LiQuid, we use nicotine salicylate in our nic salts, as it performed the best throughout our rigorous trials and testing of different nic salts. From our own research, it delivered the smoothest hit without muting flavour, which some salts are prone to doing.
We've tested our nic salts to ensure they deliver a smooth hit whilst providing the best possible flavour on the market. Our nic salts are all priced at £2, so be sure to check some of our picks below, or our full range on our online vape store.
Blueberry Sour Raspberry Ice - Nicotine Salt Vape Juice
Blue Razz Lemonade Ice - Nicotine Salt Vape Juice
Blueberry Bubblegum - Nicotine Salt Vape Juice
Strawberry, Raspberry & Cherry - Nicotine Salt Vape Juice
Mad Blue - Nicotine Salt Vape Juice
Is Salt Nicotine Safe?
While not entirely risk free, all current data suggests that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes (according to the landmark statement by the UK government in 2015).
Nicotine salts are equally as safe as freebase nicotine, and while variations of nic salts are modified, the salts occur naturally in tobacco plants. Despite being a new phenomenon, the nicotine itself is nothing new. Mixing weak acids with nicotine salts is being used in the latest Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) such as nicotine gums and lozenges, proving their trusted formula.
Should I Try Nic Salts?
Granted there are now many nicotine concentrations available, but nic salts are quite accessible to anyone vaping. In particular however, if you find any of the below apply to you, nic salts could be a good option in your vaping journey:
- You are, or were, trying to quit smoking and would like to experiment with an easier transitional alternative
- You are a first-time vaper converting from a heavy smoking habit, and would like a strong option to fulfil a high nicotine dependence
- You have tried vaping, but want a stronger flavour
- You've tried high-strength e-liquids and found the throat hit to be too strong
- You would like a fast-hitting and intense nicotine hit
- You are, or were a disposable vape user, or want a similar experience to disposables
Salt Nicotine FAQs
Are Nic Salts More Harmful Than Freebase Nicotine?
Are Nic Salts More Harmful Than Freebase Nicotine?
Nicotine salts have the same health implications as freebase nicotine. As you would with freebase vape juice, you should keep in mind nicotine strengths even more so with nic salts. As throat hit intensity doesn't tend to increase with nicotine concentration, the strength of the nicotine won't be as obvious. Despite the smooth throat hit, nic salts can contain strong nicotine concentrations, so keep this in mind when vaping them.
Is Mixing Acid Into Nicotine Dangerous?
Is Mixing Acid Into Nicotine Dangerous?
Acids that are used to mix into the nicotine (alkaline) base are matched based on the pH scale to reach a neutral level. This nullifies any acidic (or alkali) properties of either product, making them neutral and neither acidic nor alkaline.
Are Nic Salts Similar to Disposable Vapes?
Are Nic Salts Similar to Disposable Vapes?
Yes, disposable vapes use nic salts and usually have an RDTL vaping style, which is why they have such a high flavour impact.
Do Nicotine Salts Burn Coils Faster?
Do Nicotine Salts Burn Coils Faster?
Although nic salts do not burn coils faster on their own, the sweeteners in them can contribute to burning your coils faster. Dessert flavours, as well as other flavours with a higher sweetener concentration, are more prone to this.
