Freebase Nicotine: Is It Better Than Salt Nic?

freebase nicotine
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People see advertisements for nic salt and freebase liquids when going onto a website to buy vapes and e-liquid.

But what are these two nicotines?

It is essential to know what these types of liquids are because each is best used with a specific vape.

This article explains everything vapers need to know about these different types of juice and which is the best to choose.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is Freebase?
  2. How Does This Kind of Liquid Affect You?
  3. Freebase vs. Salt Nic
  4. Is Freebase Nicotine Safe?
  5. Choosing the Best Strength
  6. Side Effects
  7. Pros and Cons
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

  1. What Is Freebase?
  2. How Does This Kind of Liquid Affect You?
  3. Freebase vs. Salt Nic
  4. Is Freebase Nicotine Safe?
  5. Choosing the Best Strength
  6. Side Effects
  7. Pros and Cons
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Final Thoughts

What Is Freebase Nicotine?

Freebase nicotine is made from tobacco. Its advantage is that it has few additives, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients. However, in high concentrations, these juices hit very hard. So much so that it is uncomfortable.

For that reason, people who buy this nicotine usually get very low concentrations ranging from 0 to 3 mg. Above 3 mg, the throat hit gets very harsh.

Also, because of the low concentration, it is the ideal liquid for people who are not used to consuming large amounts of nicotine. People who have never smoked or vaped and want to try vaping are good examples.

Freebase nicotine juice is the number one choice for owners of high-wattage vapes that use sub-ohm coils. These coils get super hot, and these liquids produce significantly more vapor when vaporized at hot temperatures.

Freebase nicotine is made from tobacco. Its advantage is that it has few additives, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients. However, in high concentrations, these juices hit very hard. So much so that it is uncomfortable.

For that reason, people who buy this nicotine usually get very low concentrations ranging from 0 to 3 mg. Above 3 mg, the throat hit gets very harsh.

Also, because of the low concentration, it is the ideal liquid for people who are not used to consuming large amounts of nicotine. People who have never smoked or vaped and want to try vaping are good examples.

Freebase nicotine juice is the number one choice for owners of high-wattage vapes that use sub-ohm coils. These coils get super hot, and these liquids produce significantly more vapor when vaporized at hot temperatures.

Nicotine Salt vs Freebase: What Is the Difference?

Salt nic is made by altering the structure of nicotine, resulting in smoother draws. The smooth draw makes them better able to withstand low wattage vapes that provide tighter draws called mouth-to-lung hits.

The low-wattage vapes that use salts are disposable vapes and pod mods with 25-watt output or less.

Salt nic liquids also have higher nicotine concentrations than their freebase counterparts. It is not uncommon to find salt nic juices with 20 to 50 or even 60 mg concentrations.

Another difference between these liquids is their ratios of vegetable glycerin to propylene glycol. These juices have a high vegetable glycerin content, so they react better with hot coils.

Vegetable glycerin is a non-viscous liquid that performs well with low-resistance coils. It vaporizes quickly, resulting in large clouds.

Salts usually have a 50/50 vegetable glycerin to propylene glycol content. The result is a better reaction with high resistance coils and a sweeter and stronger flavor.

Propylene glycol is a sweet and thick liquid that improves the flavor of the juice. However, it does not perform well on low resistance coils.

Salt nic is made by altering the structure of nicotine, resulting in smoother draws. The smooth draw makes them better able to withstand low wattage vapes that provide tighter draws called mouth-to-lung hits.

The low-wattage vapes that use salts are disposable vapes and pod mods with 25-watt output or less.

Salt nic liquids also have higher nicotine concentrations than their freebase counterparts. It is not uncommon to find salt nic juices with 20 to 50 or even 60 mg concentrations.

Another difference between these liquids is their ratios of vegetable glycerin to propylene glycol. These juices have a high vegetable glycerin content, so they react better with hot coils.

Vegetable glycerin is a non-viscous liquid that performs well with low-resistance coils. It vaporizes quickly, resulting in large clouds.

Salts usually have a 50/50 vegetable glycerin to propylene glycol content. The result is a better reaction with high resistance coils and a sweeter and stronger flavor.

Propylene glycol is a sweet and thick liquid that improves the flavor of the juice. However, it does not perform well on low resistance coils.

Freebase Nicotine Effects

The effects of these liquids are not nearly as intense as those caused by salts.

The low concentrations in these juices mean that the vaper can vape longer before feeling overcome by the effects of too much nicotine.

But since nic salts have large concentrations, the effects can be felt much sooner. Once those effects start, it is best to stop vaping because you can get ill if you do it too much.

The effects of these liquids are not nearly as intense as those caused by salts.

The low concentrations in these juices mean that the vaper can vape longer before feeling overcome by the effects of too much nicotine.

But since nic salts have large concentrations, the effects can be felt much sooner. Once those effects start, it is best to stop vaping because you can get ill if you do it too much.

Is Nic Salt Safer Than Freebase?

There are no long-term studies on the effects of salt or freebase nicotine juice. However, both liquids can have adverse short-term effects.

One study concluded that vaping could harm the vaper’s periodontal tissue. Damage to these tissues could lead to problems with the teeth and gums. Also, according to the same study, some of the ingredients in sweet flavors may be carcinogenic.

Vaping might be considered safer by some than smoking, but it still has possible risks. These risks include high blood pressure, dry mouth, throat irritation, and increased risk of addiction.

However, there is no possible way to determine whether salt or freebase liquid is safer without a controlled study being published.

There are no long-term studies on the effects of salt or freebase nicotine juice. However, both liquids can have adverse short-term effects.

One study concluded that vaping could harm the vaper’s periodontal tissue. Damage to these tissues could lead to problems with the teeth and gums. Also, according to the same study, some of the ingredients in sweet flavors may be carcinogenic.

Vaping might be considered safer by some than smoking, but it still has possible risks. These risks include high blood pressure, dry mouth, throat irritation, and increased risk of addiction.

However, there is no possible way to determine whether salt or freebase liquid is safer without a controlled study being published.

Which Nicotine Strength Is Best for Me?

That answer entirely depends on who is asking the question.

For example, someone who has recently quit smoking and is used to consuming a pack or more a day should buy nic salt. These liquids are more likely to have the amount of nicotine the former smoker is used to smoking.

Someone who has never smoked before and starts vaping salts is more likely to experience the side effects of vaping too much nicotine.

People who do not smoke and are not used to high nicotine levels are best off with freebase liquid with 3 or even 0 mg.

That answer entirely depends on who is asking the question.

For example, someone who has recently quit smoking and is used to consuming a pack or more a day should buy nic salt. These liquids are more likely to have the amount of nicotine the former smoker is used to smoking.

Someone who has never smoked before and starts vaping salts is more likely to experience the side effects of vaping too much nicotine.

People who do not smoke and are not used to high nicotine levels are best off with freebase liquid with 3 or even 0 mg.

Freebase Nicotine Side Effects

Even though their concentrations are not as large as those in salt liquids, they can still produce undesirable effects of over-vaped.

The side-effects of vaping too much nicotine are:

  • Nausea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Cold sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Headache

These side-effects are experienced from vaping these juices because vapers get caught up in the excitement of blowing large vapor clouds. Even though the nicotine content is low, the liquid still has it, and if vaped long enough, they can get someone sick.

However, vapers are less likely to experience these side effects with freebase juice.

Even though their concentrations are not as large as those in salt liquids, they can still produce undesirable effects of over-vaped.

The side-effects of vaping too much nicotine are:

  • Nausea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Cold sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Headache

These side-effects are experienced from vaping these juices because vapers get caught up in the excitement of blowing large vapor clouds. Even though the nicotine content is low, the liquid still has it, and if vaped long enough, they can get someone sick.

However, vapers are less likely to experience these side effects with freebase juice.

Pros and Cons of Freebase Nicotine

First, the pros:

  • It is possible to blow clouds large enough to fill an entire room only with freebase juice.
  • It is essential to buy freebase juice with an 80/20 to 70/30 vegetable glycerine to propylene glycol ratio. The more VG present in the liquid, the larger the clouds get.
  • Freebase liquid has low nicotine concentrations, making them the ideal choice for people new to vaping who have no history of tobacco use.

The only cons are:

  • Freebase liquid cannot satisfy intense cravings because they have deficient concentrations.
  • The higher the nicotine content, the harsher the hit will be.

First, the pros:

  • It is possible to blow clouds large enough to fill an entire room only with freebase juice.
  • It is essential to buy freebase juice with an 80/20 to 70/30 vegetable glycerine to propylene glycol ratio. The more VG present in the liquid, the larger the clouds get.
  • Freebase liquid has low nicotine concentrations, making them the ideal choice for people new to vaping who have no history of tobacco use.

The only cons are:

  • Freebase liquid cannot satisfy intense cravings because they have deficient concentrations.
  • The higher the nicotine content, the harsher the hit will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Freebase Nicotine So Harsh?

Freebase juice are so harsh because they have a higher alkaline content than nic salt liquids.

Can You Vape Freebase in a Pod?

Yes, it is possible to vape these liquids in pods.

But these pods have to be capable of supporting medium to high wattage vaping and low resistance coils. Buy vapes with refillable pods that use interchangeable coils.

Before buying, look at the specifications for the pod and see what coils it is compatible with and what resistances it can tolerate.

Do not use any coil for which the vape or pod is not designed.

Can I Mix Salt Nic and Freebase?

There is no reason to mix these juices.

It is easier to buy different liquids for different styles of vaping. Besides, mixing the juices will only lower the overall nicotine concentration of the salt nic.

There is no point in doing that when a person can buy a 20 mg nic salt instead of 50, or super low concentrations in freebase liquids.

Is Nic Salt Worse for You?

There is no way to compare these liquids because there are few studies comparing their effects on vapers. Also, there is little data on the long-term effects of vaping in general.

Why Is Freebase Nicotine So Harsh?

Freebase juice are so harsh because they have a higher alkaline content than nic salt liquids.

Can You Vape Freebase in a Pod?

Yes, it is possible to vape these liquids in pods.

But these pods have to be capable of supporting medium to high wattage vaping and low resistance coils. Buy vapes with refillable pods that use interchangeable coils.

Before buying, look at the specifications for the pod and see what coils it is compatible with and what resistances it can tolerate.

Do not use any coil for which the vape or pod is not designed.

Can I Mix Salt Nic and Freebase?

There is no reason to mix these juices.

It is easier to buy different liquids for different styles of vaping. Besides, mixing the juices will only lower the overall nicotine concentration of the salt nic.

There is no point in doing that when a person can buy a 20 mg nic salt instead of 50, or super low concentrations in freebase liquids.

Is Nic Salt Worse for You?

There is no way to compare these liquids because there are few studies comparing their effects on vapers. Also, there is little data on the long-term effects of vaping in general.

Final Thoughts About Salt Nic vs Regular Liquid

The key points to remember are that freebasing is for people with low tolerances or those who want to blow large clouds of vapor. Salts are for those who are used to large concentrations from cigarettes and want to maintain that same level of nicotine intake.

Which of these e-liquids do you prefer? Please let us know which you like best in the comment section below.

The key points to remember are that freebasing is for people with low tolerances or those who want to blow large clouds of vapor. Salts are for those who are used to large concentrations from cigarettes and want to maintain that same level of nicotine intake.

Which of these e-liquids do you prefer? Please let us know which you like best in the comment section below.

Published: May 27, 2022 Updated: May 20, 2022


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