What Nicotine Strength should I vape?
So where does nicotine come from?
Nicotine is extracted from the tobacco plant Nicotiana Tabacum primarily, it can also be found in very small doses in some common foods such as tomatoes and potatoes.
What does nicotine do to you?
Nicotine is found to be a mood altering substance which is highly addictive. If you have ever been a smoker, which a lot of vapers have been in the past, you will know exactly how bad nicotine cravings can be. The effects differ from person to person but can include mood elevation and alertness.
What are the types of nicotine I can use?
There are two main types of nicotine which are currently available for the vaping market which are Freebase and Nicotine Salts.
Freebase is the traditional nicotine additive which gives an increased harsh throat hit and is more widely available. The Freebase nicotine additive tends to be higher in Propylene Glycol (PG) than Vegetable Glycerin.
Nic Salts are a newer type of nicotine additive which tends to have a higher Vegetable Glycerin (VG) content than Propylene Glycol (PG). They used a salt based nicotine solution which is released into your bloodstream quicker than Freebase nicotine and is a lot smoother on the inhale.
What strengths of nicotine are available in e-liquids?
- 0mg or 0% (Nicotine Free)
- 3mg or 0.3% (Low)
- 6mg or 0.6% (Low - Medium)
- 8mg or 0.8% (Low - Medium)
- 10mg Nic Salt (Medium)
- 12mg or 1.2% (Medium)
- 18mg or 1.8% (Medium - High)
- 20mg NS (Nic Salt) - High
The nicotine values above show the nicotine content per millilitre of e-liquid. Some companies will show this information as a percentage
Does nicotine change the taste of e-liquid?
There is a vast array e-liquid flavors out there and the majority of them taste amazing. The amount of nicotine can make a big difference though, as the higher nicotine strength you go, the less flavour you will taste. You will experience a harsher vape with higher nicotine levels. It is advised to stick with lower nicotine levels if you are sub ohm vaping as the increased amount of vapour produced makes everything more intense.
What about the throat hit?
Higher nicotine levels will give you a stronger throat hit. When combined with higher PG based e-liquids this can be intense, so it is important to check before purchasing. Also, note that high PG based e-liquids and low nicotine levels may not satisfy the needs of a smoker or ex-smoker who is used to a strong throat hit. For those switching from smoking to vaping, a more pronounced throat hit is advised.
Will I get addicted to nicotine?
Nicotine is known to be addictive and if you were a heavy smoker then it is tempting to go for higher nicotine level e-liquids. However, you need to take into account that the vaping experience is different to smoking and it may not be necessary to use a higher level of nicotine. As a person trying to quit smoking, we recommend choosing a medium nicotine strength and then gradually reducing it.