Those who are ready to get started vaping have a lot to consider when selecting their e-liquids and hardware. From choosing the most satisfying flavor to picking out the perfect electronic cigarette, mod or pod system that meet our vaping needs, there are numerous things to consider.
One of the most important decisions you can make as a vaper is how much nicotine you need. As you may already know, e-juices come in a wide range of nicotine strengths, allowing you to choose the perfect amount based on your personal preferences. When it comes to selecting the right nic strength, there are a number of unique factors to consider.
Consider the Type of Nicotine
Nicotine comes in two forms: freebase and salt-based nicotine. Freebase nic isn’t as potent and is usually vaped in lower concentrations. It won’t necessarily provide you with a nicotine “buzz,” but it will provide a more consistent nicotine experience as you vape throughout the day. In other words, this type of nicotine provides subtle effects and tends to stay in your system for a long period of time.
Meanwhile, salt nic is a type of nicotine that’s derived from the tobacco plant. Keep in mind that it doesn’t actually contain tobacco as it is a compound that is isolated. Salt nic is more potent, making it the nicotine of choice among those who need something a little stronger. It can provide a “buzz” as well as a strong hit to the throat once it’s inhaled.
Know How Much a Throat Hit Means to You
If you’re going to go the freebase nic route, understand that the lower the nicotine level, the weaker the throat hit. If your favorite thing about the experience is that punch to the throat on the inhale, a low concentration of freebase nicotine may leave you feeling like something is missing from your experience.
Take Your Hardware or Setup into Consideration
Believe it or not, the hardware or setup that you use has a lot to do with your nicotine experience. Sub-ohm vaping systems are generally designed for low-nicotine e-liquids that are vaped at high wattages to produce large, dense vape clouds. Meanwhile, low-wattage systems like pod mods are ideal for those who crave nicotine as they preserve the compound more efficiently, resulting in a more satisfying experience.
Also, keep in mind that a high freebase nic concentration used with a high-wattage device will most likely result in an irritation sensation along the throat when you inhale. This is because freebase nic is known for being fairly unstable, becoming harsh when brought to a high temperature.
Decide How Much You Care About Flavor
If you crave a full flavor when you vape, you might wanna turn down the nicotine strength a bit. Nicotine interacts with the flavor molecules in your e-liquid, making them slightly weaker and less complex. Many vapers are “flavor chasers,” meaning that they value flavor above all other aspects of vaping. If you believe that you fall into this category, opt for a low nicotine strength like 3mg or 6mg.
Figure Out Your Cloud-Related Needs
Your nicotine level also affects the size and thickness of your fog. Those who use sub-ohm mods primarily prioritize clouds above everything else. That’s because these types of systems heat the e-liquid (with the right tank and coils) to a very high temperature that results in more vapor.
The reality is that the lower the nicotine level, the bigger the clouds. Nicotine has a way of interfering with the vapor’s ability to be thick and fluffy. If clouds excite you, opt for a low-nicotine e-liquid. But, if you really crave nicotine, consider sacrificing those clouds for a higher concentration.
How Long You’ve Been Vaping For
If you’ve been vaping for a while and you wish to change your nicotine strength, consider how long it’s been since you first started that hobby.
Many vapers start off craving a high nicotine level. But, over time, their body is no longer used to it, meaning that they can go down. Typically, it takes several months before the user can start reducing or increasing their nicotine levels.
Know How Much E-Liquid You’re Willing to Go Through Each Week
Many first-time vapers are tempted to go with a low-nicotine e-juice because they wish to consume less nicotine in a day. While this might sound appealing, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll end up vaping more than you want to in order to compensate for this drop-in nicotine strength. This could result in you spending more money than you want to as you run out of e-liquid quickly.
If You’re Adjusting Your Strength, Do it Slowly
If you decide to decrease or increase your nicotine strength after a while of vaping, do it gradually. Nicotine is an addictive substance, meaning that suddenly changing the level that you take in each day can alter the way that you feel physically and mentally.
For example, if you’re used to vaping an 18mg e-liquid, suddenly switching to a 3mg liquid can leave your body feeling deprived of nicotine. As a result, you’ll either feel unsatisfied or you’ll find yourself chain-vaping to make up for the decrease. Similarly, if you have been vaping a 6mg juice and want to go up to 18mg, you might find that doing so suddenly leaves you feeling jittery and dizzy as nicotine is a fairly potent stimulant.
If you want to change the amount of nicotine in your e-liquid, we strongly suggest that you do so in gradual increments. About once each week, go to the next level that’s available before finally settling on the one that works for you.
Monitor the Way You Feel
Of course, your body knows best. Listen to what your body is telling you while you try out a nicotine concentration. Are you satisfied after just a few hits? Do you feel physically comfortable after a vape session? The answers will help you figure out if you’ve selected the right nicotine strength for your needs.
Figuring Out Your Desired Nicotine Strength Doesn’t Have to be a Complicated Process
As you can see, there are many things to think about when choosing how much nicotine you wish to consume while you vape. This guide will help you pick the ideal concentration so that you can get the most out of your vaping experience.