Fun fact: nicotine is a close cousin of the nightshade plant–a known poison. It’s also a pesticide. Luckily for humans, though, it just makes us feel good.
These days, most people have given up cigarettes for vape. This gives users a wider variety of choices in potency and flavors. In particular, they can choose between two major nicotine vehicles: salt or regular nicotine.
So the question is this: what is the difference between salt nicotine and regular nicotine? Both are nicotine, yet use unique chemical structures and production methods.
Read on as we discuss the difference between salt nicotine and regular nicotine.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between Salt Nicotine and Regular Nicotine?
Salt nicotine and regular (freebase) are the two most likely options you’ll see at a smoke shop. Let’s examine them in closer detail below.
What Is Salt Nicotine?
Salt nicotine, or salt nic, is pure, natural tobacco nicotine. It contains no sodium, despite the “salt” in the name. The “salt” part refers to a chemical reaction that occurs naturally in tobacco leaves.
Nicotine has difficulty penetrating your cell membranes. For this reason, it requires additives for optimal potency. Thus, salt nic includes things like citric acid to aid absorption.
Salt nic is all the rage in contemporary types of vape juice. Check out this page for hyde vape.
What Is Regular Nicotine?
Regular nicotine, also known as freebase, is a highly potent, pure variation. It’s synthetic, to be clear. “Regular” nicotine does not refer to the organic nicotine derived from tobacco.
Regular (freebase) nicotine raises the pH via chemical ammonia. The result is more effective absorption and higher nicotine concentration in the vape juice. It also dilutes the nicotine to prevent an unpleasant headrush overdose.
You will find “regular” nicotine in a wider range of nicotine-based products. Things like cigarettes, patches, gums, and vapes use it.
Reasons to Choose Salt Nic
Salt nicotine has a fast absorption rate, resulting in quick highs. It can hold a higher concentration while still giving a pleasurable throat hit. They’re also preferential for all user experience levels, primarily with mouth-to-lung inhalation.
Thanks to the chemical process, flavors are more potent. You can better enjoy all the popular vape flavors with salt nic. The only major downside is that salt nic is more expensive.
Reasons to Choose Regular Nicotine
Regular (freebase) nicotine takes longer to absorb, resulting in long-term, gradual highs. It tends to have very low concentrations, ideal for somebody who wants to quit. It works best with direct-to-lung inhalation.
Unfortunately, regular nicotine has an additional bitterness, regardless of flavor. To make up for this, it’s cheaper. Shelf life is shorter, too, so the cost may balance out with salt nic.
Get the Right Nicotine for You
So, what is the difference between salt nicotine and regular nicotine? Salt nic has stronger highs and better flavor, but at a bigger upfront price. Regular features a low dose, is ideal for those who want to quit, and may be cheaper.
Follow our blog for more useful articles and discussions.
