Vape nicotine

The nicotine in electronic cigarettes is the core component that causes addiction. There are mainly two forms: freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. They vary greatly in terms of taste, absorption speed, and applicable devices, directly determining your usage experience.
⚖️ Free base nicotine vs. Nicotine salt
You can quickly understand their core differences through the following table:
Characteristics Freebase Nicotine (Unprocessed Pure Nicotine) Nicotine Salts
Basic Definition The purest, unprocessed form of nicotine. Stable compounds formed by adding organic acids such as benzoic acid to freebase nicotine.
Inhalation Experience Strong throat hit, with a similar cigarette-like stimulating sensation; very rough and irritating at high concentrations. The taste is very smooth, with minimal throat irritation even at high concentrations.
Absorption Speed Relatively slow absorption, with a slower onset of satisfaction. More rapid absorption, providing a similar smoking-like satisfaction quickly.
Typical Concentration Lower concentration, usually between 3 - 24 mg/mL. Higher concentration, common range is 20 - 60 mg/mL.
Applicable Devices Suitable for high-power devices (such as large vaporizers, adjustable pressure units). Suitable for low-power, compact, portable devices (such as refillable small vaporizers, disposable electronic cigarettes).
Addictiveness Relatively low addiction potential. Studies suggest it may have a higher addiction potential.
How to Read Nicotine Concentration
The nicotine strength of e-liquid is usually expressed in mg/mL (milligrams per milliliter) or percentage (%). They can be easily converted: Percentage ÷ 10 = mg/mL.
For example:

3% of the e-liquid ≈ 30 mg per mL
5% of the e-liquid ≈ 50 mg/mL
The common concentrations available on the market include 0 mg/mL (without nicotine), 3 mg/mL, 6 mg/mL, 12 mg/mL, 18 mg/mL, etc. Some nicotine salt products have concentrations as high as 50 mg/mL or 60 mg/mL.
How to choose the right nicotine concentration?
Which nicotine strength to choose largely depends on your previous smoking habits and the device you use.
For light/moderate smokers who want to replace cigarettes:
You could consider using nicotine salts and low-power rechargeable e-cigarettes.
Initially, you can start with a concentration of 20 - 30 mg/mL.
For heavy smokers, a stronger sense of satisfaction is needed:
We also recommend nicotine salts.
You can choose the higher concentration product of 50 - 60 mg/mL.
For players who are in pursuit of thick smoke and rich flavor:
The free base nicotine is a more suitable choice and should be used in conjunction with high-power equipment.
The concentration is usually between 3 and 6 mg/mL.
Newbies who are just getting started with e-cigarettes:
It is recommended to start with a lower concentration (such as 3% or lower), to avoid dizziness and nausea caused by excessive intake.
It would be best to consult a doctor or a professional store clerk to obtain personalized advice.
⚠️ Important Note
High Addictiveness: Nicotine is highly addictive. Especially nicotine salts, due to their faster absorption, may be more likely to cause dependence.
Health Risks:
Cardiovascular system: Nicotine can accelerate arteriosclerosis, and long-term use may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction.
Brain development: For teenagers and young adults, nicotine can harm brain development, affecting learning, concentration, and memory.
Fetal development: Pregnant women using nicotine will harm the fetal development.
Nicotine poisoning: Consuming an excessively high concentration may lead to poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and in severe cases, convulsions and breathing difficulties. Do not add or mix high-concentration nicotine solutions by yourself.
The concentration labels may be inaccurate: Studies have shown that for some products, the nicotine concentration indicated on the label differs from the actual measured value.
Comply with local regulations: Different countries and regions have strict regulations regarding e-cigarettes. For instance, since 2022 in China, flavored e-cigarettes have been banned, and the upper limit of nicotine concentration in the liquid has been set at 20 mg/g.
Summary
In simple terms, the key factor in choosing which type of nicotine is based on your personal needs and the device you have:
If one is seeking a quick way to quit smoking and a smooth vaping experience, nicotine salts combined with small cigarettes are the mainstream choice.
If you are seeking a strong throat-piercing sensation and thick smoke, then using free-base nicotine with high-power equipment would be more suitable.