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So, you have just got a new vape kit. You have spent hours finding a dessert e-liquid that is the perfect balance between nostalgia and nicotine. You take a vape hit and you either experience nothing or too much. Throat hits are difficult to gauge, especially for new vapers.
If this sounds familiar, you are just one of the thousands of vapers who come to our site every day. Some of the most common questions that we get are centered around throat hits, including ‘how to get a good throat hit with 0 nicotine?’ and ‘how to avoid throat hit when vaping?’
Luckily for you, we have done all the legwork. Our writers have been avid vapers since vape pens first hit the market, and they know everything there is to know about throat hits. We’ve compiled our top seven tips for people who want to tailor their vape hit.
If your’e interested in going nicotine free check our our top rated nicotine free vape products.
What Is a Throat Hit in Vaping?
First things first, what is a throat hit in vaping?
Even the newest vapers will have heard this phrase. This self-explanatory term refers to the feeling that comes from the vapor hitting the back of your throat. Most vapers describe it as a tingly, itchy sensation. Ultimately, throat hits are a satisfying part of the vape experience.
Throat hits exist on a sliding scale. You can have an extremely mellow throat hit, which happens when the vapor travels past your throat without causing any irritation. On the other end of the scale, you can have an extremely strong throat hit that causes a tingling sensation as well as coughing.
Ex-smokers are often disappointed to discover that vapes do not have the same intensity as cigarettes. People who make the switch have to experiment with e-liquid types, flavors, and nicotine strengths to find their perfect throat hit.
7 Ways to Tailor Your Throat Hit
Believe it or not, throat hits can be a delicate business. Everyone is different, which means that most vapers go through a period of experimenting before they find their ideal hit. Like any desired outcome, throat hits require patience and above all, knowledge.
Forget about how to avoid a throat hit when vaping, these tips are for vapers who appreciate the buzz that comes from a mild to medium (or even immense) throat hit. If you are ready to learn about all the things that impact your vape hit, let’s jump right in.
Experiment With Nicotine Strengths
It is no secret that nicotine strength can have a big impact on vaping, and most people know that it influences the strength of their throat hit. The higher the nicotine strength, the harsher the throat hit.
This factor might seem simple enough, but be careful. Too much nicotine is never a good thing. If you consume too much nicotine in the pursuit of the perfect vape hit, you could experience nic sickness. Nic sickness (or nicotine poisoning) includes symptoms like nausea, headaches, dizziness, and even vomiting.
Nicotine poisoning is one step further, and although it is very unlikely it is not unheard of. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that just 50 to 60 milligrams is a fatal dose for adults who weigh around 150 lbs.
When you are experimenting with nicotine strengths you should always take the ladder approach. Start small, gauge your reaction, and assess the situation from there. Remember, everyone is different. Your friend might be perfectly happy with a 20mg nicotine-strength e-liquid, but it might make you sick.
If you do not want to increase your nicotine consumption, consider trying the other options on our list.
Try Different VG:PG Ratios
E-liquid composition is second only to nicotine strength. When we say composition, we are talking about the mixture of VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol) in your vape juice. These two ingredients form the base for all e-liquids and they have a massive impact on the end result.
VG is thicker than PG, and it takes far more power to vaporize high-VG e-liquid. This ingredient promises dense, immense clouds. High VG mixtures are far more common than high PG mixtures. A mixture is classed as high VG when it contains 70% or more. With this kind of e-liquid, you will experience smooth, mellow throat hits.
PG is a thin liquid that encourages all the ingredients in your e-liquid to combine. Its main purpose is to carry flavor, and the emulsifying properties help to bring intricate and unusual tastes to the forefront. High PG liquids (which tend to be liquids that contain 60% or more) create harsher throat hits.
If you want to increase your throat hit, try high-PG vape juices. To create a milder throat hit, try high-VG liquids.
For most people, it really is that simple. But some vapers have a sensitivity to PG that can be difficult to detect. Symptoms of PG reactivity include throat issues, so it is easy to see why some vapers do not identify the problem. Skin rashes, sinus infections, and gum irritation are some of the other significant signs. Do you experience any of these symptoms while using a high PG mixture? Eliminate your PG consumption and see if the symptoms persist.
Discover New E-Liquid Flavors
Modern vapers have more choices than ever before when it comes to far-flung flavors and nostalgic favorites. The range of e-liquids on offer is ever-expanding, and you can even find a liquid that suits your throat hit preferences.
Did you know that flavor profiles can have a massive impact on your throat hit? Soothing, rich flavors like caramel might be more satisfying for your tastebuds, but they will not create the intense throat hit that you desire. Multi-layered flavor profiles like lemon tart are fan favorites, but the taste sensation eclipses the throat hit. They tend to create less impactful throat hits than liquids that concentrate on one flavor.
For a more defined throat hit, we recommend mint and citrus e-liquid flavors. These kinds of flavors are full of intricate cooling notes that pack a punch. Mint can be overpowering, meaning most vapers either love it or hate it. If mint overwhelms your senses, you can add a few drops of menthol to your preferred flavor.
You might be surprised to learn that menthol is not a flavor, it is a coolant. Technically, you can add menthol to any e-liquid, whether it be lemon tart or coca cola. The menthol does not interfere with the pre-established flavors, it just highlights the cool notes.
Remember, e-liquids that contain high concentrations of PG are far more flavorful than liquids that contain a lot of VG. For maximum impact, make sure that your vape liquid contains 60% or more PG.
Switch to Nicotine Salts
For milder throat hits, nicotine salts are the way forward.
There is a lot of confusion about the difference between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. Manufacturers create freebase nicotine by adding ammonia to pure nicotine. Humans can’t absorb pure nicotine very well, so ammonia helps the process. You can find freebase nicotine in most e-liquids that are on the market.
Nicotine salts are made from nicotine that is extracted directly from tobacco plants. Manufacturers bond the nicotine with benzoic acid. Nicotine salts are a popular alternative to e-liquids that contain freebase nicotine.
Freebase nicotine is well-known for delivering a far harsher throat hit than nicotine salts. Humans absorb nic salts into their bloodstream quicker than they can absorb freebase nicotine. Nic salts that contain the same nicotine strength as freebase nicotine can feel much more intense. Many modern vapers are switching to nicotine salts to enjoy the same level of intensity without the harsh throat hit.
Try a Different Wicking Material
A wick is an absorbent material that sits inside your coil. If you only use replaceable pods, you may have never had to think about your wick. The truth is that wicks play a vital part in your vape experience. They bridge the gap between the e-liquid and the coil. When you fire the device, the coil heats the e-liquid in the wick and transforms it into vapor.
Cotton is the most popular type of wicking material. It is so prevalent that 99% of vapers don’t realize that they have other options. In the world of wicking materials, cotton tends to settle lower on the lower side of the scale. It promises mild, smooth hits when paired with compatible e-liquids and devices.
Hemp sits on the other side of the scale. It is the perfect choice for vapers who want an intense, almost too-harsh throat hit. Beware, this material is known for surpassing the limits of what might be considered a satisfying vape hit.
Silica can also pack a punch, but there has been some speculation as to whether this wicking material causes silicosis. Inhaling particles of crystalline silica can lead to silicosis, so you might want to look at alternatives or stick to hemp.
Customize the Power Settings
This factor might not impact your vape experience. Vapers who prefer small beginner devices do not have to worry about power settings, because they only support low-wattage vaping. However, vapers who appreciate the power and personalization that comes with a mod or a sub-ohm device should keep reading.
Most high-wattage devices will have customization options. Temperature controls are important, especially for people who can’t understand why their vape hit tastes burnt. The hotter the temperature, the more impactful the throat hit.
Likewise, the power control can make your throat hit more bearable or unbearable. A lot of vapers struggle to transition from beginner kits to advanced mods whilst using the same nicotine strength. The upgrade to a customizable kit encourages them to experiment with power controls. They usually settle on a higher voltage or temperature than before and find that their usual e-liquid is too harsh. To combat this problem, most vapers switch to a lower nicotine concentration.
Temperature and power controls can help you make the most of your e-liquid. Do you have a few low-strength vape liquids taking up space in your store cupboard? Pour them into your mod, turn up the temperature and power, and experience potent flavors and nicotine.
Open Your Airflow Control
This is one of the lesser ways that you can find your ideal throat hit, but it is worth trying. Unlike the other ideas on this list, you do not have to purchase any extra items. Just experiment with closing and opening the air hole on your vape device.
A tighter airflow is more conducive to a smoother throat hit, and a looser airflow is more likely to create a harsher throat hit. Open the airhole for a milder hit, and close it for a more intense hit. Tighter draws also tend to bring out the intricate flavors in each puff.
Best Vape Devices for Adjustable Throat Hits
Unfortunately, not every device is designed for customization. The majority of beginner devices and pen-style kits do not come with personalized features. Simple, featureless devices are better suited to MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) vapers who do not want to experiment with the intensity of their throat hit.
Sub-ohm devices, mods, and other advanced kits are designed with the adventurous vaper in mind. For the most intense throat hits, you need to purchase a mod kit that has a high wattage. Of course, buying these kinds of kits doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy the strongest throat hit possible, but it does give you the opportunity to find your perfect hit.
Here is what you need to look out for:
- Temperature control
- Power control
- Variable wattage
With these three customization options, you can experience all kinds of unbelievable vape sensations. You are more likely to find mods that fulfill this checklist, but some forward-thinking brands even create pod mods and vape pens that tick all the boxes.
For unbeatable customization options, look no further than the Geekvape Aegis Legend 2. This device is one of the newest offerings from the ever-popular Geekvape brand, which has made a name for itself as a creator of innovative yet stylish pieces.
- Variable wattage mode
- Variable power curve mode
- Temperature control mode
- Bypass mode
- Adjustable airflow
Variable wattage mode is perfect for people who want to experiment with vaping styles, and the temperature control mode helps to protect your coils from overexposure to heat. Bypass mode makes the most of your batteries, and the adjustable airflow control puts you in the driver’s seat. This eye-catching kit features a 1.03-inch screen that allows you to pre-set your controls. It has never been easier to customize your throat hit. The Geekvape Aegis Legend 2 comes with two Geekvape Z Mesh Coils, which perform best when paired with high VG e-liquids.
Best Vape Devices for Strong Throat Hits
When searching for the strongest possible throat hit, we look back at the classics. The vape industry moves very quickly, and it is not uncommon for new vape kits to fall out of favor within a year or two. Aspire PockeX has stood the test of time, which is how we know that it delivers on its promise to provide strong throat hits.
This device might not have all the customization options that attract a lot of advanced vapers, but it just goes to show that appearances can be deceiving! There is no need for too many personalized choices because PockeX already provides users with an unbeatable throat hit.
Find our more about why your vape hits harsh here.
How to Get a Good Throat Hit With 0 Nicotine?
Ever wondered how to get a good throat hit with 0 nicotine?
This is one of the biggest dilemmas for vapers who want to reduce their nicotine consumption. Cutting out nicotine entirely can have big benefits, especially for people who experience unfortunate side effects like headaches and nausea.
There are many vapers moving towards using zero nicotine disposables. Sadly there’s not much you can do with a closed system like this to improve your throat hit. However if you use any other form of nicotine free vape, or just zero nicotine vape juice, you may want to consider the following:
Menthol E-Liquids
We recommend menthol e-liquids. Menthol is one of the most popular coolants out there. Remember, menthol is not a flavor, it is just a coolant. It adds a cool kick that accentuates satisfying vape hits. It does not impact the taste of the e-liquid, so it works in conjunction with any number of traditional and fun flavors. The cooling kick replicates nicotine and creates an intense throat hit. The higher the concentration of menthol, the bigger the throat hit.
Mint-Flavored E-Liquids
You can also experiment with mint-flavored e-liquids. Mint has icy, fresh tones that mirror the cooling sensation that comes with menthol. You could even double up and buy a mint menthol vape juice for an extra kick.
Sub-Ohm Vape Devices
Sub-ohm vape devices are compatible with coils that have a resistance lower than one ohm. These coils enable vapers to take long, drawn-out puffs on their device. Most sub-ohm enthusiasts choose lower nicotine strengths to avoid an overwhelming throat hit, but zero-strength sub-ohm hits still have an edge to them. Fill your sub-ohm kit with zero-strength mint menthol e-liquid and take a long draw. The throat hit might be better than you think!
How to Avoid Throat Hit When Vaping?
So, you want to avoid a throat hit entirely? Some vapers never grow accustomed to the tingling, ticklish sensation that comes with throat hits. You might not be able to completely eliminate throat hits, but here are some top tips for decreasing the chance of a harsh hit. We’ve already discussed some of these factors above, but here’s a quick roundup.
- Use a cotton wick – There are a few wicking materials you can choose from, but cotton is widely considered to be the safest choice for people who want a milder throat hit.
- Increase the airflow – Most advanced devices feature small holes that act as airflow controls. Increase the size of the hole to create a looser vape and a smaller throat hit.
- Use high VG e-liquids – The VG:PG ratio can make all the difference to your vape experience. Start as you mean to go on and choose the highest VG concentration possible. Some e-liquid brands even stock 100% VG e-liquids!
- Reduce the power – If you have a sub-ohm device or an advanced mod, the chances are that you can control the power. Reduce the power to avoid unpleasant hits. This has the added benefit of conserving the battery.
- Use nicotine salts – Your body will absorb nicotine salts much more easily than freebase nicotine. Switching to freebase nicotine means that you can enjoy milder throat hits but increased flavor.
- Decrease nicotine strength – The easiest way to eliminate unwanted throat hits is to reduce your nicotine consumption. If you are currently using an e-liquid that contains a large amount of nicotine, you should reduce your consumption in stages. Nothing is worse than nicotine withdrawal!
- Stay away from menthol liquids – Menthol can transform an ordinary e-liquid into an intense mixture that promises massive throat hits. Avoid this coolant to minimize the chance of harsh hits.
If the thought of a sharp throat hit makes your eyes water, try some of the tips and tricks above. For added security against an unwanted itching sensation, try all of them at once!
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it – answers to the most popular questions about throat hits, how you can adjust them to suit your needs and even improve throat hits with zero nicotine vapes.
If the mechanics around throat hits seem overwhelming, start here! Use our tips to customize your vape experience and delve into a whole new world of vaping. You might be surprised by what you discover.
For many, throat hits are an incidental part of vaping. Only adventurous vapers understand how to personalize their devices and liquids to create the perfect hit. Ultimately, the intensity of your throat hit is in your hands. Have fun exploring the different tricks of the trade and discovering new e-liquid flavors. We’ll be right here if you have any more questions.
Ever wondered how much nicotine is in a cigarette? find out in our article here.
