Finding the best vape juice can be daunting if you are not knowledgeable about the varieties out there. Unlike cigarettes, vape juices are available in different nicotine strengths, creating a wide range of experiences.
However, if you’re getting into vaping, it can be overwhelming to wade through the options and determine which intensity is right for you. Yet, overall, vapers use about 3-15 mg/ml of nicotine, but you can get potent nicotine salts with up to 50 mg/ml.
Contents
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is an addictive alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants. Nicotine is primarily in the tobacco plant, but there is also a small amount of nicotine in potatoes.
But, of course, you aren’t going to get a nicotine buzz from eating mashed potatoes. Instead, many users inhale smoke from nicotine products like a cigarette or e-liquid.
Also, nicotine gum is an alternative some people choose to intake nicotine rather than smoking a cigarette.
What is E-Liquid Strength?
E-juice strength refers to the nicotine level in an e-liquid. Most of the time, the higher the number of milligrams of nicotine per milliliter, the higher the vape nicotine levels. A medium strength will have about 6 mg/ml, but nicotine strengths go much higher. This difference is immense, enabling people to experience different levels of satisfaction from e-liquid.
However, more nicotine isn’t always better. Stronger nicotine level e-liquid will be harsher on your coils, and your carts can become clogged faster with heavy usage of high mg/ml ratios.
Measurements
You’ll find nicotine strength listed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml). For the average tobacco smoker, 8-12 mg of nicotine should be adequate, though the amount varies from person to person. If you are just starting to vape, it’s best to start with 6 mg of nicotine.
Different Levels of Nicotine
There are different levels of nicotine in e-cigarettes. For that reason, when choosing an e-juice to vape, you have to pick a nicotine strength that provides you with the best satisfaction for your vaping practice. Yet, you should know that it is hard to tell exactly what level you require as a starting point without trying out different liquids first.
Some people choose a low nicotine level to minimize health side effects, while others may want a more potent dose to keep up with their daily nicotine habit. To know which strength will suit your needs best, you must understand how different nicotine levels interact with the person using them.
● Light Strength
If you are a beginner at vaping, you should use light nicotine levels. If you have never used any nicotine product before, it would be a great idea to start with a low nicotine level or a nicotine-free product.
Please note that low nicotine levels will not satisfy the cravings you would typically get from smoking. If you are a heavy smoker and are transitioning to vaping, you will need to stick to moderate dosages of nicotine. With time, you can reduce the strength till your body gets used to not having any nicotine at all.
Also, light strength allows you more choice in rebuildable atomizers and sub-ohm tanks.
● Medium Strength
Medium strength e-juice is a great place to start if you’re new to vaping and want to try out the full experience. When using this kind of e-liquid, there will be no drastic changes in your body and health. Instead, the nicotine is just going to help you start getting used to vaping.
Starting with medium strength is also good if you want something strong enough to satisfy your needs without causing significant issues, like headaches or coughing fits.
For a medium strength product, nicotine salts may be a good option since they are smoother on the throat than freebase nicotine products. These salts use benzoic acid to lessen the throat feel so you can smoke higher nicotine levels comfortably. Pod systems are best if you want to smoke these products.
● High Strength
High levels of nicotine are not for people who are new to vaping or inexperienced with the process.
If you want to transition entirely away from all types of cigarettes, you can start with high strength, especially if you are a heavy smoker. Just remember that a high-strength freebase nicotine product will have a harsh throat hit, more so than the average cigarette. So, if you don’t want that intense feeling, try a nicotine salt with a high mg/ml ratio and inhale mouth to lung.
However, if you are new to nicotine, you are probably looking for something to help you get used to vaping without causing any noticeable side effects, such as headaches or an increase in your heart rate. High nicotine levels won’t help with either of these things, so you should begin with light dosages.
Usage
Nicotine has a relatively low safety threshold in terms of its potentially harmful effects on health. Thus, being mindful of its dosage is essential. If your e-juice contains more than 24 mg/mL of nicotine, it is likely too intense for someone new to vaping.
● Nicotine for Smokers
Many vapers are afraid of using too much vape juice, but in reality, you should start with a 50/50 mixture. If you want to stop smoking, switch to an e-juice containing a lower nicotine level to calm nicotine cravings while getting you away from the addictive substance.
You can research the nicotine strengths in e-juices by checking online. When choosing a vape juice, look for brands that advertise a low mg/ml ratio.
Smokers should also know that ultimately you won’t get the same amount of nicotine from vape liquid as you did from a cigarette anyway, so now is a good time for smokers to look for vape products sold with low nicotine.
● Reducing Nicotine Intake
30ml bottles of vape juice are the most popular option among those hoping to reduce their nicotine intake. You can usually begin vaping at a higher level of nicotine and slowly reduce the amount as you feel more comfortable smoking vape liquid.
Generally, it takes longer for a smoker to become satisfied with lower nicotine levels due to the tolerance build-up associated with tobacco use.
● For Beginners
If you’re new to vaping and want something that may be less intense than other liquids on the market today, try using some general e-juice with approximately 70% PG and 30% VG and low nicotine content. Better yet, choose a vape liquid without nicotine, so you don’t become addicted.
Is PG or VG Better for Nicotine?
PG and VG are the abbreviations for propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, respectively, both of which are used as carrier oils for nicotine in vapes.
But, which is better to get your nicotine hit?
Ultimately, you can use either for nicotine, but high PG liquids often have higher nicotine content.
● Consistency
PG is the substance that gives e-juices their taste and throat hit, and it’s also what provides the juice with its thick, smooth consistency. So, ultimately, PG is more delicate than VG, but it has more flavor.
● PG vs. VG Strength
If you want to stay away from too much nicotine, then high VG e-liquids offer less nicotine and a lighter throat sensation. For those giving up smoking habits, however, high PG will give you a feeling closer to unfiltered cigarettes, especially in high amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that many of you may have about choosing the right nicotine strength for vaping e-juice.
How much nicotine should I vape?
The answer to this question depends solely upon your preference. Vapers ingest nicotine by inhaling it. That said, nicotine is addictive, and overuse can cause heart attacks, strokes, and lung problems. Therefore, you should stay away from nicotine altogether, but if you feel compelled to take in nicotine through e-juices, do your research on how much nicotine is safe for your body.
What vape should I get for high nicotine?
Overall, most vape devices can handle nicotine products. However, you should check the specific device you want to buy to see how much nicotine strength it can handle.
For high nicotine or nic salt levels, you should stay away from sub-ohm devices because they can’t handle liquids with a high nicotine base.
Also, if you want to use nic salts, you will need a device that can handle those products.
How do I choose nicotine strength?
For adult smokers leaving behind cigarettes, you should consider that cigarettes contain more nicotine than any juice in the vaping market today.
Yet, there are several ways to determine what nicotine level will work for your body without experiencing adverse side effects. It would be best to start with a moderate dose and then adjust accordingly.
How can I choose the right amount of nic salts to buy?
The right amount of nic salts to buy depends on how often you want to buy them. If you don’t want to go to the store often, then buy larger amounts at a time.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be an experienced vaper to make good e-liquid choices and have a great vaping experience. By simply reading, researching, and trying new e-liquids, you can become well acquainted with the various vaping varieties and start enjoying the benefits of electronic cigarettes.
Finally, just remember that vaping is not entirely safe. The smoke you inhale from vapes can cause birth defects in pregnant mothers, and you will inhale other chemicals than just nicotine.