This type of e-juice is normally high in nicotine, but what makes nicotine salts intriguing is that they’re formulated for a smooth inhale instead of feeling harsh despite the high alkaloid quantity. But you’ll still feel the nic! You can consume less juice, making them more cost-efficient. Nic salts give you more bang for your buck.
Nicotine salt is a chemical formulation of nicotine that decreases its harshness, allowing vapers to comfortably get more nicotine while inhaling less vapor. The terms nicotine salts, nic salt, salt nic, or salt nicotine all mean the same thing. It’s not table salt (sodium chloride); it doesn’t make your e-liquid salty and it won’t increase your sodium intake. In chemistry terms, a salt is a neutral charged ionic compound made from an acid and base.
In nicotine salts, a chemical (usually benzoic acid) neutralizes the nicotine (base) molecules and creates a more stable compound that results in a nicotine that’s smoother to consume. JUUL Labs, which was the first to develop nicotine salt as a retail product, says that its formulation is like nicotine in leaf tobacco before it’s stripped out during the extraction process.
Switching from a standard freebase nicotine mix, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Nicotine salts aren’t harsh on the throat like freebase nicotine.
Many users report that nicotine salts give a sensation similar to smoking, more than regular e-liquid. That’s not magic! It’s because many of the products contain up to 60 mg/mL of nicotine. More nicotine-per-puff adds a more satisfying experience for smokers and ex-smokers.
Because the strengths are typically much higher in nicotine salt, this is a legitimate question. One of the reasons cigarette smoke is addictive is the speed with which it delivers nicotine to the brain. There are questions about whether nicotine salts deliver the drug more rapidly than freebase nicotine — but the issue hasn’t been studied yet.
Since the only difference between nicotine salt juice and standard e-juice is the inclusion of benzoic acid, salt nic is probably no more or less safe than freebase nicotine e-liquid. The World Health Organization International Programme on Chemical Safety advises consuming no more than 5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, which would equal about 345 mg for a 150-pound person — probably an impossible amount to vape, considering that 1 mL of salt e-liquid contains just a few milligrams of benzoic acid.
Most nicotine salt e-liquids come in 25-50 mg strengths. If you’re new to nicotine salts, we suggest starting with 20-35 mg first unless you’re a transitioning smoker.If you’re a vaper that prefers low strength nicotine with greater vapor production, some manufacturers like Mr. Salt-E offer nicotine salts in levels as low as 3-5 mg/mL.
50+ mg - Recommended for transitioning smokers who need the maximum dosage of nicotine. Not recommended for non-smokers or low-nicotine vapers.