Recent research highlights that nicotine intake varies significantly based on the e-cigarette device. A 2017 study revealed that nicotine absorption from freebase liquids closely correlates with device performance.
Understanding Freebase vs. Salt Nicotine: Freebase nicotine, often referred to as "traditional nicotine," is the original form. In contrast, salt nicotine is a processed version that allows for faster absorption, more closely mimicking the experience of smoking cigarettes and reducing formaldehyde intake. While salt nicotine has its advantages, I personally avoid using it exclusively.
This article was inspired by a comment on a previous post. Given the significance of this new research, I wanted to summarize the findings on how freebase nicotine levels differ across various e-cigarettes.
Study Summary: Nicotine Delivery by Device Type
Study Title: Nicotine Delivery to Users from Cigarettes and Different Types of E-Cigarettes
Published in: Psychopharmacology
Date: January 9, 2017
Researchers: Peter Hajek, Dunja Przulj, Anna Phillips, Rebecca Anderson, Hayden McRobbie
Country: United Kingdom
Sponsor: None (Hajek and McRobbie received funding from pharmaceutical companies for smoking cessation research).
Study Purpose
This study aimed to develop pharmacokinetic profiles for eight popular e-cigarette devices and to assess the effects of liquids with varying nicotine levels. Pharmacokinetics focuses on how drugs are absorbed, distributed, and processed in the body.
Study Participants
The study involved twenty dual smokers (individuals who both vape and smoke), each compensated £60 per session. Participants provided blood samples after vaping or smoking for analysis.
Study Method
Participants abstained from smoking and vaping overnight. Each session involved using their own or designated devices, followed by blood sampling at intervals (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 30 minutes) to measure nicotine levels. Researchers also tracked the number of puffs taken during each session.
Key Findings
The study analyzed 20 devices (9 standard devices and 11 user-provided). Results indicated that tank systems deliver nicotine more efficiently than cigarette-like devices. Medium-strength freebase liquids (18-24 mg/ml) demonstrated similar nicotine delivery levels. The study recommended higher-performance devices for users seeking a cigarette-like experience.
Notable Findings and Comparisons
For experienced users, nicotine concentration was 7 ng/ml after 10 puffs (Dawkins & Corcoran, 2014). In contrast, a single cigarette resulted in a concentration of 15-20 ng/ml (Benowitz et al., 2006). Early e-cigarettes took around 20 minutes to deliver comparable nicotine levels.