Do you Vape more when using Lower Nicotine Strength?

[shazyzen]

G'day fellow Vaper's.

I am interested to know whether there is any correlation between the amount one Vapes & the nicotine level one uses? I'd also like to know more about how nicotine levels affect us emotionally &/or physiologically.

I've been vaping 24mg (about 1-2 ml per day) for nearly 3 weeks now. I wasn't a heavy smoker but I was definitely hooked on RYO's (15 per day for 17 years) until I discovered vaping. I am now smoke free (yeah) and couldn't be happier! I have had no adverse re-actions to vaping (or to quitting analogues- curiously); no cough, no sore throat, no de-hydration, no Vaper's tongue, no sleeping issues- except on the first night wherein I had cold sweats & weird dreams...

I have two reasons for starting this thread:

A) I am feeling like perhaps I should try to lower my nicotine level, at least to 18mg or even 12mg down the track. I have tried 18mg- & it seemed fine, but I feel just fine using 24mg too. And I like 24mg- it just feels right- for now anyway. But, people here say 24mg is for ex heavy smokers...? And a lot of Vaper's consider 24mg to be high..? Also, I have heard that nicotine effects the cardio-vascular system... which makes me want to keep an eye on nicotine usage.

My main concern regarding lowering my nicotine level is that I don't want to Vape more (i.e. chain Vape to get my nic fix). So can anyone enlighten me as to whether they have Vaped more when using a lower nicotine strength.

B) I have read here an analysis of nicotine. In brief it said that the higher the nicotine used, the more "relaxed" a person will feel. And the lower the nicotine used, the more "stimulated" one feels. Is this a fact? It makes sense to me in a round-a-bout sort of way, as I probably prefer feeling "relaxed" than "stimulated... hence my preference of high 24mg nicotine... 'tis Curious indeed.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Shazyzen.

 

[Eponator]

I can definitely say the high nic stuff calms me down and relaxes me moreso than the lower nic stuff. I also go through 0 nic juice much faster but I think that's because I'm able to take a bigger pull due to a lack of harshness caused by the nic. Having said that I still smoke more of the nic juice because I am a nic junky and I like my buzz hehehe.

 

[smacuser]

I did.





Went from 18 mg to 12 and vaped a whole lot more. I immediately went back to 18.

 

[BigFatDan]

I find myself "chainvaping" you might call it. But considering I was a chain smoker nic level has nothing to do with it. However when I vape high nic, I find that I get a nic buzz much faster and I have to stop for a bit.


I basically vape as much as possible. The whole hand to mouth thing.

 

[donesmokin]

I dropped from 18mg to 12. I just vape more to make up the difference. Now that I DIY I'm hoping I can drop by 1mg steps over time and not notice that I'm getting less nicotine.

 

[*deleon517*]

I have a different out look on lowering nic. For the first 2 years I went from my starting nic of 8mg to 18-24mg. 8mg just wasnt cutting it for me and 10-15ml's of 18-24mg per day was my sweet spot. never figured I would be able to go down on nic with out crazy consumption.

Now i'm using 12mg with roughly the same ml's usage but went from a 1.5-8 to a .8-1.1. the harder hit of a sub ohm to a near sub ohm has made the lower mg still satisfying, with out having to permanently attach my pv to my face.

 

[Buggainok]

I think with this, like everything, we are all probably different. Here is my recent experience though. I just started vaping a week or so ago. I was a 40+ year lifetime smoker, and had smoked about a pack and a half of ultra light 100's for the last several years.

When the gal at the vape shop heard me say "ultra light", she suggested 12 mg juice, so that's what I started with. It worked to keep me from smoking a cigarette, but I was constantly picking up my ego, especially in the evening. I also had a vague, "something is not quite right feeling", not quite anxiety, but close. I am usually a pretty calm person.

I decided to go back to the shop and pick up some 18 mg. It was so much better for me. In a matter of a few hours of using it instead of the 12 mg, I lost that anxious feeling and was not feeling like I needed to constantly vape.

I just had another thought, I wonder if perhaps since nicotine is a drug, that a person's body weight affects how the drug makes a person feel? Also maybe the "tolerance factor" comes into play.

Long ago, my hubby had some muscle relaxers for a bad back spasm. He weighed about 200 lbs and said that taking only one of them made him feel woozy and like he shouldn't drive. I had a bad spell with my back shortly after, and took 2 of his pills. I could feel little effect from them, even though I only weighed 135 lbs. He just has little tolerance for any type of drugs, but mine seems to be higher.

 

[Amish Ed]

I've dropped from 24mg to 12mg over the last 6 months. Each drop in level resulted in some chain vaping, but the need went away pretty quick each time. Getting ready to drop to 6mg in the near future. I might do 9mg first though.

 

[jwag1973]

If your comfortable at 24, don't worry about it. When I started I was at a 24. Three months later I'm at 18, I definitely chain vaped for a few weeks after changing strength. I'm not even thinking about lowering my levels any futher at this point. Honestly... if you stay at 24mg and it works for you, that's a whole lot better than the analogs are.

 

[TrentTC]

I started with 24, went down to 18, and now vape 12 and even 6 on some devices. With a genesis atomizer and a .5 ohm coil 18 mg would destroy me and 12 is even pushing it. Same with a rda and a sub ohm coil. With a clearo or carto though and a 2 ohm coil I still would use 18 most likely.

 

[danzac]

Started at 24mg with the commercial silica wick tanks and atties. Went down to 18mg and found myself vaping too much to get satisfied. Once I became a dedicated dripper and learned all about rebuilding my own coils for lower ohms down to sub ohms I had to cut the nic level in half. Same went for using gennies. The nic delivery is more effective thus getting more bang for your buck with more full crisp flavor and vapor production. I love using cotton ball wicks or if you can afford it XS 116,118 ceramic silica wicks. Sub ohm vaping with 28 gauge kanthal using 3-4 wraps with cotton in something like the trident, nimbus, patriot, etc.. I'm comfortable at 6mg nic. Micro coils I can vape at 1.3-1.8 and still get satisfied with lower nic levels. Still have to use 24mg-18mg on boge cartos that I have left over because the filler filters out the nic and your not getting all of it with each pull so you end up chain vaping.

 

[Bunnykiller]

I was at 2PAD, Got 36nic to start, way too strong, went to 30nic, vaped about 2-3 ml a day. Dropped down to 24 and went thru 3-5 ml a day. Went back up to 30nic and back down to 2-3 ml a day. So in my case, yes, dropping the nic increases the volume vaped. As far as hi nic vs low nic and being "agitated" or serene... seems to be that way, but at the 24 nic, I was chain vaping and feeling anxious. At 30nic, a few good hits and all is well...

 

[MoeFunk]

I use 12 mg. Seems to be the sweet spot for me. 18 is too harsh now.

 

[Txldy]

It works that way for me, but I love chain vaping at home on my super yummy flavored so I buy my faves in 12 and 18 mg. I take the 18 mg to work so I only need a few pulls and then the 12 mg is for the evening after work. I would love to not need the 18 mg but my job is intense and I do need to relax quickly. I haven't worried about nicotine effects too much since I am just so relieved that I am free from (and suddenly really disgusted by) analogs.

 

[shazyzen]

I've dropped from 24mg to 12mg over the last 6 months. Each drop in level resulted in some chain vaping, but the need went away pretty quick each time. Getting ready to drop to 6mg in the near future. I might do 9mg first though.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your posts.

Amish Ed, thanks for letting me know how you dropped your nicotine gradually. This makes a lot of sense. Like you, the first time I went to 18mg I did Vape a more than usual... but this evening whilst cooking up a feast of fried rice I didn't Vape too much.

Cooking used to be a trigger for me to smoke more (when I smoked analogues that is)- as it's a social thing & I like some red wine whilst cooking... But tonight went well. I just got on with it & didn't chain Vape. I'm happy with the amount I used.

I reckon I just need to have a 2 clearomizers loaded with some yummy e-juice of 18mg and 21mg & see how I go. Cause honestly tonight with the 18mg I had a lot of satisfaction & the same throat hit as 24mg. It is possibly psychological- the amount of nicotine used in the early days I'm thinking.

Thanks Jwag 1973- I agree re: not going below 18mg (well not for me for some time anyhow). I kind of just don't really see the point, as I honestly enjoy my nicotine & I agree it has kept me of the analogues beautifully. And yes the 24 mg works, & the 18mg seemingly works just fine! Noice (as us Aussies apparently say). I am not sure about 12 mg... maybe one day I'll give it a whirl...

Thanks Buggainok- yes tolerance could play a factor & weight perhaps. I'm of average weight (73 kg) & I suppose I've found a happy medium with the Vaping or that nicotine just agrees with me; though I am careful to not over indulge, since I like high nicotine. I think I am just a worrier, in all honesty, as 1 & a half mls (of 18mg- 24mg) per day is a not a lot by any ones standards I believe.

Eponator, thanks for your outlook. Nicotine calm me down too ... & I enjoy it also. Actually I like the high strength for this reason & it means that I don't need to Vape as much.

Thanks Donesmokin- lowering by 1mg makes a lot of sense. Thanks smacuser- I appreciate your story. I'm not sure 12mg would cut it for me either...

Trent TC & Danzac- I am beginning to understand that equipment makes a lot of difference re: nic supply & usage. I'm still using basic cig-a-likes & a recently acquired standard eGo, which is quite smooth. One day I should like to try a variable voltage... I'll consider myself a real pro' when if I ever start dripping- lol. By the way what are Mods & mechs? Please excuse my ignorance (newbie)

Bunnykiller (poor bunnies...) thanks for your words of wisdom- you hit the nail on the head (& the bunny so it seems- LOL).

And well done Txldy- I don't think you need to worry about 18mg at work. I imagine you're a good worker... And Whatever works hey.

All the best to everyone here a ECF. Happy Vaping

 

[jp_cfc09]

I vape 24mg and it seems just right but I love the bubblegum juice my b&m does but it only goes as high as 12mg and I seem to go through it big time. I know it doesnt help that I really like the taste as ill vape more anyways but I cant get a good enough vape from it and chain vape it all the time lol. need to find a vendor whos bubblegum is just as nice on 24mg lol.

 

[Spazmelda]

If I drop, I find myself vaping more for a day or so, and then it levels off. If I try to make too big a jump then I can just never get satisfied. For example... I usually use around 8 or 10 mg/ml (down from 24 when I started). I mixed up some 5 mg/ml for another person and I was testing out the flavors. I just could not get satisfied at that level.

One thing you can do if you feel the drop from 24 to 18 is too big, but you want to reduce... Get a bottle of 18 and a bottle of 24 and mix them together (same flavor unless you are feeling adventurous) in equal amounts. That will give you a level of 21 mg/ml, in between the other two. This way you can drop more gradually.

 

[shazyzen]

If I drop, I find myself vaping more for a day or so, and then it levels off. If I try to make too big a jump then I can just never get satisfied. For example... I usually use around 8 or 10 mg/ml (down from 24 when I started). I mixed up some 5 mg/ml for another person and I was testing out the flavors. I just could not get satisfied at that level.

One thing you can do if you feel the drop from 24 to 18 is too big, but you want to reduce... Get a bottle of 18 and a bottle of 24 and mix them together (same flavor unless you are feeling adventurous) in equal amounts. That will give you a level of 21 mg/ml, in between the other two. This way you can drop more gradually.

Thanks Spazmelda- I think this will work a treat. I shall mix 24 & 18mg to make 21mg & have another 18mg on the go also. Cheers

 

[jp_cfc09]

ill have to remember that lol, so simple yet I never tought of it like that. I ordered a lovely desert ship juice ages ago but its 36mg and makes me sick but kept it incase I ever needed to blow my socks off but dont think I will lol. no point wasteing a 30ml bottle now as I could order low nic and mix it. thanks spazmelda

 

[Spazmelda]

You are welcome! You can also do this in different amounts, rather than half and half, to get to a target nic strength, but the math is not as simple as mixing 50:50 (and concentrations and divide by two).