Nicotine is a vital part of the composition of an e-liquid for electronic cigarettes. It is a molecule belonging to the alkaloid family that is extracted from tobacco and is very often the subject of numerous questions among beginner vapers.
When starting with vaping, it may be important for some people to know everything there is to know about e-liquid for electronic cigarettes, and more specifically, about the role it plays.
So let's take a look at everything there is to know about the nicotine contained in your favorite little bottles, so you can become an expert on the subject!
What is nicotine?
As we said above, nicotine is an organic compound extracted from tobacco leaves. It’s classed as a psychoactive substance, meaning it directly impacts the brain.
It does this by interacting with the neurons, binding itself to the nicotinic receptors in the same way acetylcholine does, creating a feeling of pleasure or relaxation, and ultimately, an addiction. This is the well-known phenomenon of the reward system.
How is vaping nicotine made?
The nicotine used in e-liquid making is extracted from the leaves of two tobacco varieties in particular: Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotina rustica.
This produces an extract with a nicotine content that varies between 2 and 10%, depending on the tobacco varieties. However, manufacturers then refine this nicotine sulphate extract to meet the pharmaceutical-grade standard of 99.5%.
It’s this method that produces the liquid nicotine that goes in our electronic cigarette e-liquids.
Moreover, you can now find in France a 100% French vaping nicotine, designed and developed by Vincent Dans Les Vapes (VDLV). Following the 'green chemistry' principles, the French manufacturer extracts a type of nicotine that’s specifically intended for inhaling.
Is nicotine dangerous to your health?
Unfortunately, nicotine is often misunderstood and mistakenly held responsible for tobacco’s dangerousness, but it isn't the case. The biggest threat is actually the tobacco’s combustion, as the smoke contains several thousand carcinogenic substances, responsible for all smoking-related illnesses. Nicotine, for its part, is only responsible for the addiction to cigarettes, but let's break it down together.
Standard nicotine consumption
As we’ve just seen, the nicotine itself isn’t dangerous when you smoke tobacco. It’s the combustion that’s behind all the problems.
This nicotine only creates a dependency, which is why many tobacco substitutes, such as patches and gums, contain nicotine to ease the withdrawal process.
However, know that nicotine can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, people with cardiovascular diseases should avoid consuming it.
Nicotine overdosing
Nicotine can be dangerous and even fatal if you ingest a very strong dose of it. For this dose to be lethal, an adult would have to ingest more than 0.5g of nicotine. The e-liquids available today can only contain a maximum dosage of 20mg/ml, as the European TPD states. Thus, an adult would have to ingest 2.5 bottles of e-liquid at this maximum level to put his or her life in danger.
Although lethal doses are hard to reach for an adult, you should still take care with your children and pets. That is why caution is required. Remember to store your e-liquids in a lockable cupboard high up to avoid any risk. In addition, liquid manufacturers in Europe also comply with the European Tobacco Products Directive, which came into force on May 19, 2014.
Nicotine and addiction
As we said, nicotine isn't dangerous in and of itself, but it is partially responsible for smokers' tobacco addictions.
Indeed, nicotine interacts with certain neurotransmitters in the brain that release dopamine, which is linked to pleasure. Then, the 'reward circuit' kicks in and improves your mood, thus creating the addiction.
Moreover, nicotine is known to increase reaction time and improve concentration. When the body is deprived of its nicotine intake, it'll show withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and even depression. Naturally, the body will crave more nicotine so that the brain can release more dopamine.
However, with classic cigarettes, nicotine isn't the only thing responsible for the addiction. Tobacco smoke contains several thousand substances, of which some would increase nicotine's addictive capacity by using monoamine oxidase enzymes. The latter would deteriorate some neurotransmitters and produce a greater release of dopamine, thus making tobacco more addictive.
What part does nicotine play in e-liquids?
Nicotine plays two roles in your electronic cigarette liquids. Obviously, its main role is to replace the nicotine you used to get. Vaping allows you to satisfy your nicotine craving.
The other effect of nicotine is that it produces a phenomenon known as 'throat hit', which is a muscular contraction in your larynx when the vapor passes through. It is a tingling sensation in the throat that can occur with electronic cigarettes.
And finally, the higher the nicotine content of your e-liquid is, the stronger the hit will be. This is why it's important to find the correct nicotine level when you start using an electronic cigarette.
Lowering your nicotine level
As we said before, nicotine is more rapidly absorbed and released with a tobacco cigarette than with an electronic cigarette. Therefore, you must pick a sufficiently high level of nicotine to use with your electronic cigarette.
Then, it's up to you to lower your nicotine level when you feel it is appropriate or necessary. Keep in mind that there's no obligation to quickly lower your nicotine level.
Start by finding the right equipment and e-liquid for your particular needs. Then, gradually lower your nicotine content when you feel ready to do so. Then, take time to get used to your new nicotine level. This can take several days or several weeks.
Always remember to trust your instincts. If you feel a craving, it means that your nicotine level is too low, so slightly increase the dosage. Know that some vapers consume more e-liquid when they lower their nicotine content. If this happens to you, it might mean that it isn't yet time for you to lower your level.
Does nicotine cause sleep problems?
Scientists haven't clearly determined what impact nicotine has on our sleep patterns yet. However, many studies tend to show a correlation between the two. Indeed, nicotine is famously known to be a stimulant, so it could disrupt sleep, notably by impacting the body's serotonin and dopamine production.
It is also well known that smokers who are withdrawing from tobacco may feel certain symptoms when they get a craving. However, these symptoms aren't directly linked to the nicotine itself, but rather to the fact that smokers tend to consume more alcohol and caffeine than non-smokers do.
Nicotine salt e-liquids
Nicotine salt is a type of nicotine that's much closer to the one found in tobacco plants. As it has a different acidity from the nicotine traditionally used in e-liquids, it produces different effects. To give you an idea, it feels much more like a mild cigarette.
With nicotine salt e-liquids, your body absorbs the nicotine at a much faster rate. This can be helpful for some users, as they won't have to increase their nicotine level or the power of their kit to compensate.
However, with this method, the throat hit is much softer.
The legislation surrounding nicotine e-liquids
Since the 1st of January 2017, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and e-liquids have been subject to the European Tobacco Products Directive, or TPD.
This directive states that nicotine e-liquids can only be sold in bottles of a maximum of 10ml. E-cigarettes with pre-filled cartridges are limited to just 2ml, and the maximum nicotine content you can buy is 20mg/ml.
All of these laws strictly regulate the e-liquid market in Europe and France and, by extension, all other electronic cigarette products.
More info on electronic cigarette e-liquids:
- How to change your electronic cigarette's liquid with ease
- Why does an e-liquid turn brown? Everything you need to know about this natural phenomenon.
- Find out why some e-liquids wear out coils faster
- Can you vape a liquid after its Best-Before date?
- What is diacetyl, and why was it so controversial back in the day?