Nic Level Recommendations?

[anniebananie]

I'm guessing this info is probably around here somewhere, but I'm having a hard time finding it. So if anyone could throw me a bone, I'd be most grateful
Got my 510 today, but pieced a kit together and didn't get the right charger.. ugh... so basically, still prepping. I have 3ml size bottles of ECOpure very low menthol gold (I think it's 5mg nic?)
Since I have to really wait to try this thing out until I get a charger anyway, I'm kinda curious how you determine which nic level to get started on.
I'm a 1-2+ pack a day smoker, but I smoke Misty (slims) menthol ultra light 100s. I guess they have like .6 nic each? My smoking varies greatly (HUGE increase if I'm bored to death or bs-ing with friends over drinks)...
How do I figure an avg equivalency (with a goal of losing the nic completely eventually anyway...)?
Thanks a bunch! Ann

 

[kinabaloo]

The mg stated on analogs is what is typically absorbed.
The mg stated on juice is what is in the liquid. Only about 1/3 of that is absorbed, possibly a fair bit lower (some tests have said as low as 10%; but the maximum is probably 40%). Let's say 30%*.

A box of 20 standard cigs gives aboout 20mg nicotine (20 x 1mg).

2ml of 36mg liquid will give about 2 x 36 x 0.33 = about the same : 20mg absorbed.

So 1 box of cigs is roughly equivalent to 2ml of 36mg juice or 3ml of 24mg juice.

510 / 901 carts can hold about 0.5ml (at most); so 2ml is about 4-5 carts.
(Note that some other carts are bigger).

So if you have just vaped 2ml of 36mg liquid and calculated that as equivalent to 60 cigaretes - don't panic, it is not; it is about 20, perhaps less, in real terms.

In short, for per puff equivalent:

Super-Light (0.3-0.5mg): ~ 12-18 mg
Light (0.7 mg): ~ 24 mg
Full Flavor: (1.0 mg): ~ 36 mg

But if you vape more than you used to smoke, choosing a less strong liquid would be wise.

It's always worth trying a lower nic first; some people do just fine with that. But if you find it's not enough and you still crave a smoke, go higher; sensibly of course.

* Only about 45% of the nicotine in e-liquid gets into the vapor. Allow for some further losses, exhalation and non-absorption and 30% is a reasonable estimate.

** While not facts, I believe these figures to be pretty accurate, but might later be refined. A good rough guide.

 

[Brachinus]

I don't think math is the way to go. It ain't the USDA, you don't need to worry about your daily requirement. It's more about how high the nicotine is in each puff, and how satisfying it is for you.

If you smoke(d) more than a pack a day, chances are a 5mg liquid won't do much for you. I use 24mg, and I just got a bottle of 35mg unflavored (free sample) that I've been using to spike my Mint liquid, and I suspect my ideal level is around 30mg (I smoked about 30 unfiltered Camels a day).

Try some different mg levels, or get a super-high (maybe 48mg) unflavored juice and try mixing and matching to see what works best for you (just eyeball it if you have a spare bottle). You might find yourself diluting the flavor to an excessive degree while you figure it out (my Mint doesn't taste as good mixed 50/50 with , but after that you can probably find liquid with full flavor in the right nicotine dose for you.

 

[anniebananie]

You are awesome!! Thanks so much