What are the Different Types of Nicotine?

 
Two terms you’ll hear a lot when reading into vaping are freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. While these might seem alien and like more jargon, knowing the difference can be very important. Here’s a brief explanation of how both interact so you can pick out what works for you!
 
Freebase nicotine has a slow hit and a much more noticeable throat hit, where as nicotine salts are much faster acting working similarly to nicotine from traditional cigarettes.
 

What is Freebase Nic?

Freebase nicotine is essentially nicotine in its pure, unaltered state, and it's commonly found in cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapies (like gum and patches), and traditional vape liquids. The concept of freebasing nicotine became popular in the 1960s, largely due to research spearheaded by Phillip Morris, the company behind Marlboro cigarettes. They discovered that by converting nicotine to its freebase form, they could increase the strength and addictiveness of their cigarettes without raising the dosage.
The process of freebasing involves altering the structure of nicotine molecules. In its natural state, nicotine exists as a salt within tobacco leaves. To freebase, ammonia is used to remove protons from these nicotine salts, which increases the pH level, making it more alkaline. This conversion to a deprotonated, or 'freebase' state, enhances its potency.
Given that freebase nicotine is a purer form of nicotine, one might wonder why vapers would consider switching to nicotine salts. The answer lies in understanding the primary drawback of using freebase nicotine in e-liquids. Freebase nicotine has certain characteristics that might not suit all users, leading to the development and rising popularity of nicotine salts as an alternative.
Freebase is essentially slow acting, as it has a harder time getting into your bloodstream and into your cells and provides more of a throat hit.
Understanding
 

What is Nic Salt E Liquid?

Nicotine salt is a term that can be misleading if not properly understood. Firstly, it's important to clarify that it is not the same as table salt (sodium chloride) and does not impart a salty taste to vape juice or contribute to sodium intake.
In chemistry, a salt is formed from a reaction between an acid (with a positive charge) and a base (with a negative charge). Nicotine naturally found in tobacco leaves is chemically a salt. Tobacco leaves contain nicotine exclusively in this salt form. It's these nicotine salts that undergo chemical alteration to produce freebase nicotine.
 
The chemical structure of nicotine salt involves a weak base which actively seeks positively charged particles (protons) to achieve stability (becoming ionized). Ions, due to their charged nature, have difficulty moving through cell membranes and thus do not easily reach the nicotine receptors in the body.
 
If nicotine salts in their natural form were added to the VG/PG (vegetable glycerin/propylene glycol) mix that makes up e-liquid, they would require extremely high temperatures to be vaped effectively. Moreover, even at high temperatures, the bioavailability of nicotine in this form would not be as efficient as that of freebase nicotine.
 
To resolve this issue and enhance the effectiveness of nicotine salts in e-liquids, a chemical modification is needed. This modification usually involves adding certain types of acids (like benzoic acid) to the nicotine salt. This process lowers the pH level of the nicotine solution, making it easier to vaporize at lower temperatures and improving its ability to be absorbed into the body.

 

 As a result, nicotine salts in e-liquids can offer a more efficient and user-friendly experience, especially for those looking to switch from smoking to vaping.