Each type of nicotine has distinct characteristics that affect nicotine delivery, strength, throat hit and more, so it's important to understand which is more suited to your therapeutic needs. What is freebase nicotine? Freebase nicotine is the traditional, pure form of nicotine, typically extracted from tobacco plants and then refined. Key features: Stronger throat hit: freebase nicotine provides a more noticeable, intense throat hit due to its alkaline nature. Stronger taste: freebase nicotine has a more noticeable taste. Lower nicotine strength: freebase nicotine e-liquids generally come in lower concentrations, ranging from 3mg to 20mg per milliliter, while delivering a higher dose of nicotine with a strong throat hit. What is salt nicotine? Salt nicotine is a modified form of nicotine that incorporates an acid (frequently it's benzoic acid but can differ) which helps create a less intense throat hit and draw draw from a vaping device, even at higher nicotine concentrations. Key features: Smoother experience: the addition of benzoic (or other) acid makes nicotine salt smoother and less harsh on the throat, even at higher nicotine concentrations. This may be more comfortable for patients using vaping devices for the first time. Faster absorption: nicotine salts are absorbed faster into the bloodstream. Lower-powered devices: salt nicotine works best with low-wattage devices such as pod systems or mouth-to-lung (MTL) vapes. Key differences: freebase vs salt nicotine Feature Freebase nicotine Salt nicotine Nicotine strength Lower strengths (typically 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg or 20mg per mL) Higher strengths (typically 25mg to 50mg per mL) Throat hit Strong/harsher throat hit Smoother throat hit Vape devices Best suited for high-wattage, sub-ohm devices Best suited for low-wattage pod systems and MTL devices Absorption rate Slower absorption with more sustained nicotine effect Faster absorption with quicker nicotine effect Taste Stronger taste Less noticeable taste Which nicotine is more suited to you? Freebase nicotine may be more suitable for individuals who require a stronger throat hit and are using higher-wattage, sub-ohm devices. Freebase nicotine delivers a more intense nicotine draw, at lower nicotine concentrations with longer-lasting effect due to its slower absorption. It may be ideal for those who have been smoking for a long time. Salt nicotine may be more suited to patients using vapes for the first time as an unapproved, unproven smoking cessation aide or requiring a smoother and gentler nicotine draw. Salt nicotine works well with low-powered, MTL devices. Its faster nicotine absorption ensures an immediate nicotine effect. However, it's important to avoid very high nicotine salt concentration unless absolutely necessary or recommended by your doctor. Choosing nicotine strength For freebase nicotine, e-liquids typically come in strengths ranging from 3mg to 20mg per mL. For a more intense draw, 6mg to 12mg might be suitable. For salt nicotine, the strengths are often higher, typically ranging from 10mg to 50mg per mL. These higher strengths are suitable for more potent nicotine delivery without the harsh throat hit. Conclusion When choosing between freebase nicotine and salt nicotine, consider your therapeutic needs. This article is helpful in understanding the different nicotine available but every person is different so a cookie-cutter approach doesn't always work. Therefore, since nicotine and vaping products are regulated as medicines in Australia, it is important to follow medical guidance from your pharmacist or medical practitioner to ensure the dose meets your needs. Our pharmacist consultations are FREE, so feel free to contact us at any time if you need further assistance.
