Spin – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Spin is Australian slang for the faint head-rush or light-headed sensation that new vapers sometimes feel after their first few puffs on a starter kit or high-nicotine device. Comparable to the dizziness of a first cigarette, the spin is caused by a sudden spike in blood-nicotine levels and usually passes within seconds. While harmless for most healthy adults, it signals that you should slow down, lower your nicotine strength, or switch to a lower-powered sub-ohm setup. Recognising the spin helps beginners gauge tolerance and avoid over-nicotining.

Technical Details

The spin occurs when nicotine dissolved in e-liquid is aerosolised by a coil and absorbed through the lungs’ alveoli, reaching peak plasma concentration in under 10 seconds. High-strength salts (20–50 mg/mL) in low-wattage pod systems deliver the largest bolus per puff, triggering transient vasoconstriction and a mild parasympathetic response—hence the dizzy “nic-hit.” Variables that intensify the effect include: nicotine concentration ≥35 mg/mL, Resistance“>coil resistance ≥1.0 Ω, tight MTL draw, and rapid chain-vaping. Conversely, sub-ohm setups running at 40–80 W with 3–6 mg freebase liquid rarely cause spin because the lower nicotine-per-puff is offset by higher vapour volume.

Usage & Tips

• Start low: If you’re new, choose 12 mg freebase or 20 mg salt and take one slow 3-second puff, then wait 5 minutes before the next.
• Stay hydrated; nicotine constricts blood vessels—water lessens dizziness.
• Sit down for your first session to avoid falls if a spin hits.
• Lower the strength or switch to a 0.6 Ω coil at 18 W if spins persist.
• Never drive while experimenting with high-strength liquids; the spin can mimic mild vertigo.

History & Context

The term migrated from Aussie smoking culture around 2015 when cig-a-like devices gave ex-smokers the same rush. As pod systems and 50 mg nicotine salts arrived in 2017, the spin became a rite of passage; today most manufacturers include “spin warnings” on high-strength bottles, echoing the industry’s push for responsible nicotine delivery.