Freebase Nicotine vs Nicotine Salts

In the ever-evolving world of e-cigarettes, there are two terms that are quite popular among enthusiasts: freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. Both terms play a vital role in e-liquids, but they fulfill different preferences and needs. This article aims to delve into the nuances of freebase nicotine and nicotine salts, focusing on their differences, benefits, and ideal uses.

Origin and Chemistry

Nicotine, an organic substance with the chemical formula C10H14N2, is an alkaloid found in plants of the Solanaceae family. Solanaceae plants include not only tobacco, but also peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants or petunias. Of these plants, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is one of the richest in nicotine, at 8-14%, which is why it is used to make cigarettes, dried and burned.
Nicotine is addictive or dependent, and repeated use of nicotine can also increase heart rate, blood pressure, and appetite. High doses of nicotine can cause vomiting and nausea, and in severe cases, death.

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲

Freebase nicotine has been the standard in nicotine products since the 1960s, thanks to the innovation of tobacco companies. This form of nicotine is pure, without any added compounds, making it the most potent form when heated and inhaled.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿

Nicotine salts, on the other hand, are a more recent development. They are created by combining pure nicotine with organic acids, resulting in a more stable and less volatile compound. In 2015, the American company JUUL invented nicotine salt technology. Through experimentation with a number of different formulations, their researchers surprisingly found that specific nicotine salts were actually more effective than freebase nicotine e-liquids. The key ingredient is benzoic acid, which reacts with nicotine in an acid-base neutralizing reaction to create nicotine salts, reducing the pH of the nicotine that is added to the e-liquid. The invention of nicotine salts allows the inhaler to obtain a softer mouthfeel and is more conducive to deeper absorption of the aerosol, which significantly improves the efficiency of nicotine delivery and the rate of absorption by the human body.

How They Work: The Science Behind the Puff

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴

Freebase nicotine has a higher pH and is therefore more alkaline. This high alkalinity allows nicotine to be absorbed more quickly into the lungs and brain, resulting in a fast and intense nicotine hit. However, it can also cause a more irritating sensation in the throat and may not be suitable for all vapers.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗱

Nicotine salts have a lower pH, which provides a smoother smoking experience. The addition of benzoic acid or other organic acids helps reduce alkalinity, making the vapor less irritating to the throat. This allows for a higher nicotine concentration without the associated harshness, making it an attractive option for those who prefer a smoother hit.

Nicotine Strengths: Tailoring the Experience

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲.

Freebase nicotine is usually available in lower concentrations, ranging from 3 mg to 18 mg per milliliter. This makes it ideal for low resistance vaporizers that produce large clouds of vapor. The low nicotine content is also suitable for smokers who like to vaporize frequently without the risk of nicotine overdose.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴

Nicotine salts are available in much higher concentrations, often between 20 and 50 mg per milliliter. These high concentrations meet the needs of smokers switching to vaping as they mimic the nicotine content of conventional cigarettes. This makes nicotine salts an excellent choice for pod and other low-potency devices.

Characteristic aroma: flavor factor

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿

Freebase nicotine is known for its ability to deliver strong, well-defined flavors. The purity of the nicotine makes the flavor of the e-liquids more pronounced, providing a rich and satisfying experience. This makes it a favorite among flavor enthusiasts who use high-performance devices to maximize the flavor experience.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲

Nicotine salts offer a more subtle flavor due to their low alkalinity. While their flavor may not be as strong as e-liquids containing freebase nicotine, they provide a smooth and consistent flavor. This may be especially appealing to vapers who prefer a smoother, more subtle flavor experien

Device Compatibility: Matching Nicotine with Hardware

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

Because of its lower concentration and higher vapor volume, freebase nicotine is best used with high-wattage devices, such as box mods and sub-ohm smoke canisters, to provide an optimal vaping experience.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

Nicotine salts are characterized by a high concentration of nicotine, which can lead to excessive throat hit and discomfort in the wrong device. That's why nicotine salts work so well with low-wattage devices like pod systems and vape pens. These devices can work with the higher nicotine concentration of nicotine salts without creating too much throat hit or discomfort.

Health and Safety: Information for Vapers

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆

Freebase nicotine has been around for decades and its safety is well documented. However, high alkalinity may cause throat irritation and discomfort, especially at higher nicotine concentrations. Vapers should also be wary of nicotine poisoning, especially when dealing with higher concentrations of e-liquids.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

Nicotine salts are relatively new and research into their long-term health effects is still ongoing. The addition of organic acids such as benzoic acid has raised some concerns, but current evidence suggests that their use in e-liquids is generally safe. As with any nicotine product, moderation and proper handling are essential to avoid potential risks.

Market Trends: The Rise of Nicotine Salts

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀

The popularity of nicotine salts has risen dramatically in recent years, a trend reflected in the growing number of nicotine salt e-liquids and pod systems on the market. Nicotine salts are favored by new vapers and ex-vapers because of their ability to deliver high concentrations of nicotine in a smooth manner. Demand for nicotine salts is likely to continue to grow as more vapers seek convenience and satisfaction.
However, freebase nicotine remains a strong contender among seasoned vapers who value flavor intensity and cloud production. Thus, the vaping market is expected to strike a balance between these two preferences, offering a diverse range of products to meet different needs.

How to Choose the Right Nicotine

The debate between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts is not about deciding winners and losers, but about understanding and appreciating the many vaping options available. Each option has a place in the world of vaping, and each offers unique advantages to meet the needs of different vapers. By being informed and trying both options, vapers can discover the perfect nicotine for their lifestyle and preferences.

We encourage new and experienced vapers to explore and try Atom Freebase Nicotine and Bar Fuel Nicotine Salts by Hangsen. Knowing the difference and experiencing them for yourself will help you make an informed decision that will enhance your vaping experience.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬:

𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒆
𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑬𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝑷𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝑻𝑶𝑷 𝟏𝟎 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒆-𝒍𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒚
𝑻𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓
𝑽𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒑𝒔: 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒆-𝒍𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔