What is the Difference Between Synthetic Nicotine and Natural Nicotine
Mar 8th 2022
The vaping industry has seen multiple upgrades over the last decade with more brands and companies spending millions of dollars in research and development of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Vaping has clearly been a popular choice among those who crave nicotine but it also was notoriously infamous for the rise of teen vaping in US high schools. Since 2007, there have been a plethora of brands dealing in vaping hardware like kits and devices as well as brands that have specialized in coming up with distinct, vibrant, and delicious vape juices or e-liquids. Some e-liquids are with nicotine and some are nicotine free. You can purchase flavored e-juices with freebase nicotine in strengths ranging from 3mg to 12 mg and with nicotine salts in the range of 18mg to 50mg. However, with the PMTA in progress that requires any tobacco product to go through a rigorous testing process by the FDA, e-juice brands turned to synthetic nicotine or no tobacco nicotine to bypass the Pre Market Tobacco Act. Synthetic nicotine or tobacco free nicotine is similar to natural nicotine in strength and effects but are made in a lab setting without using tobacco to extract the nicotine. In this article, we will read a few key differences between synthetic and natural nicotine and which one to prefer.
What does Synthetic Nicotine mean?
Synthetic nicotine as the name suggests is derived synthetically in a lab setting without using Tobacco plants as a base for extraction. This doesn’t necessarily mean it is an inorganic form of nicotine but quite the opposite, synthetic nicotine actually removes the bitter taste and odor of naturally occurring nicotine e-liquids and makes them more fit for consumption. In a lab setting, scientists can synthesize nicotine without using the traditional method of derivation and that also makes synthetic nicotine comparatively much safer than traditionally derived nicotine.
Is Tobacco Free Nicotine Better?
Tobacco free nicotine has been around only for a year or so. Therefore, to claim anything concretely wouldn’t be objective. However, the fact that they are created in a lab setting and by professionals who have years of experience understanding the chemistry behind Nicotine and its derivatives makes them relatively safer if not more than naturally derived nicotine. Tobacco Free Nicotine or nicotine-free vape is safe to consume but there’s still more research needed to determine whether they are better than naturally derived nicotine. For now, the question of whether synthetic nicotine is safer or better is still vague due to the lack of long-term research. We know that a lot of vapers have switched from Tobacco derived nicotine to tobacco-free nicotine and they are actually enjoying it, so you can make a choice based on that.
Is Nicotine Man-Made or Natural?
Nicotine is a chemical found in different plants, most common being the Nicotiana tabacum or the tobacco plant. The plant will have a host of other chemicals along with nicotine that is then extracted by experts in a lab setting to create e-juices with freebase and salt nicotine. So although nicotine is present naturally in plants, you have to extract them in freebase or salt form to be used in e-liquids for vaporizing.
Effects of Synthetic Nicotine vs Naturally Derived Nicotine
There are no noticeable differences between synthetic and naturally derived nicotine when it comes to its effect. Both synthetic and naturally derived nicotine e-juices have the same physiological effects but in synthetic nicotine, you can always have the option of not experiencing the bitter nicotine taste or the pungent odor that comes with it. Other than these minor differences, synthetic nicotine and naturally derived nicotine are very much alike.
Should you prefer synthetic nicotine or naturally derived nicotine?
This is a totally perspective-based question. We have been vaping nicotine e-juices for so long the new variant may come as apprehensive by people but the fact of the matter is there’s actually not too much difference between them both and both are equally safe and effective. Now it depends on which non-nicotine formulation suits your taste buds. Big brands like Naked 100, Dinner Lady, Air Factory, and the likes have all got their Tobacco-Free Nicotine or Synthetic nicotine line up with their already popular flavors. While most people I have to have no qualms about buying either tobacco derived nicotine or synthetic nicotine e-juice, a good number of them admitted to switching to synthetic nicotine for some reason. Maybe in the next article, we can delve deep into more personal experiences and see how these two are actually different experience-wise.