When it came to purchasing e-liquid for your electronic cigarettes, you had very few options. Unless you were into modding or DIY, your options were limited to cig-like cartridges and a few e-liquids, most of which were high-PG. Today, though, the options are endless. You can choose between high PG and high VG, nicotine salts and freebase, and a variety of other options - and that's before you even consider the flavour options. In many respects, this variety is a positive thing, as it allows you to create a fully personalised vaping experience depending on individual preferences. However, for someone who is just getting started with e-liquid, it can be complicated.
Key terms
Understanding a few essential terminologies that you'll encounter is helpful in the world of vaping. When looking for the perfect e-liquid, you may come across terms like:
Nicotine salts: This is a type of e-liquid that uses the salts found naturally in tobacco leaves to create a smoother throat hit. Freebase liquid, on the other hand, is e-liquid that does not include these nicotine salts. Nicotine salts and freebase nicotine are both present in hybrid e-liquids.
Propylene Glycol: This is a type of plastic. PG is a thinner version of VG that gives a stronger throat punch in e-liquid.
Vegetable Glycerin: VG is somewhat sweeter and thicker than PG, resulting in a smoother throat hit.
Nicotine strength selection
You'll need to determine the right nicotine strength for you, whether you're using a basic e-cigarette or a more complex vape mod. The difficulty is if you choose a nicotine dose that is too low, you will not find vaping to be gratifying enough and will be less likely to help you successfully quit smoking. You may feel the unpleasant symptoms of nicotine overdose if you choose an e-liquid with too much nicotine such as, nausea, increased heart rate, headache, or dizziness.
For a breakdown on the strength that might be suitable for you here's a reference to follow:
1-5 cigarettes a day - 3MG
6-10 cigarettes a day - 6 - 8MG
10 - 30 cigarettes a day - 12MG
20 + cigarettes a day -18MG
Keep in mind that if the first nicotine level you try doesn't suit you, you can always try a different one.
