Nicotine safety

[TropicalBob]

I want a higher nicotine level from the pipe tobacco. What was the problem?

[Bertrand]

Taste, so ymmv.

[taz3cat]

RX's at one time could and did make lollypops out of sugar etc and nicotine, but they got banned. I ordered 5 just before they got banned, they tasted ok, help some.

[TropicalBob]

Yeh, this was written about a few months ago, and the candy wasn't bad ... I just had trouble getting the e-liquid thoroughly mixed in. It pooled. And when the melt in the mouth hit a pool, it was kind of bitter. I ended up melting Coffee Nips in a candy tin, then mixing in the liquid and freezing the Nips to harden the mix immediately. Too much work. I'd rather vape.

As for pipe tobacco ... it already has propylene glycol in it to keep humidity at 70%. PG is a humectant, and you'll even find some in cigarette tobacco. I've actually tested some on pipe tobacco, but don't think I used enough. I use a homemade mix of e-liquid, glycerine and Kahlua liquor. Not sure what it will do to the PH, however. Pipe tobacco is alkaline, for mouth absorption. E-liquid is slightly acidic, like cigarettes, for lung absorption. So I don't want to tilt the alkaline side too much toward acidic, because I don't inhale pipe tobacco.

[Kate]

This is what Dr Loi said about the pH of vapour:

"...my litmus test shows it to be alkaline in nature with reading from pH 7.8 to 8.5...highest found in E-liquids from E-cig and lowest from Ruyan cart samples..."

Questions about Nicotine..

[TropicalBob]

Those are the only figures of his I've ever puzzled over.

I won't believe them until I do my own tests. Aklaline e-liquid for lung inhalation makes no sense, unless the goal is "hit" not efficient delivery.

Oh well. I stand corrected if his figures are accurate. That would tilt e-liquid to alkaline. Makes no sense.

[Kate]

If alkalinity improves absorption through mucus membrane how would more nicotine be absorbed in inhaled acidic vapour/smoke? Does something change acidity in the lungs?

[TropicalBob]

Alkaline smoke is preferred for mouth absorption. Acidic smoke is preferred for lung absorption.

Tobacco makers manipulate PH based on how the product will be used. Generally, pipe tobacco produces alkaline smoke. If you inhale it, it will make you cough terribly as your lungs protest. This cough has nothing to do with nicotine content.

If you puff cigarettes, and just mouth the smoke, you won't absorb much nicotine. You need to suck that stuff in to get the nic impact.

Since most e-liquid vapor is inhaled to the lungs, it makes sense to me to tilt that vapor to the slightly acidic side. Heck, I might try some stuff myself. Maybe I'll dilute some crystals of ascorbic acid in e-liquid and see what happens when I inhale it.

[SANJP]

Interesting research Bob

If your alkaline smoke theory works think we may have found the ansa to the great throat hit mystery.

Now to go find some super alkaline Liquid that won't kill me !

[Bellinghamster]

Thank you TB and Kate! Sorry for the delay, but that really helped me feel better regarding the transdermal absorption! Your assistance is greatly appreciated!