How long does nicotine stay in the body?

The chemical nicotine contained in tobacco products is addictive, and the body breaks it down to the metabolite cotinine. Nicotine metabolites are what lab technicians look for when testing for nicotine use. The residence time of nicotine in the body depends on its half-life.

Mayo Medical Laboratories states that cotinine has a half-life of 15 hours and nicotine has a half-life of 2 hours.

In general, detection rates for nicotine are significantly higher than for LSD, Adderall, and methamphetamine. Cotinine is detectable in a variety of samples, including urine, blood, and saliva. However, the time it remains detectable can vary depending on the type of test sample.

Cigarettes produce a chemical called cotinine that stays in the body much longer

How long does nicotine stay in the blood?

It can take up to an hour for nicotine to appear in the bloodstream, and cotinine can be detected for up to 10 days after quitting. Although invasive, a blood test is the most accurate way to determine nicotine use and exposure in non-smoking adults.

How long does nicotine remain in saliva?

A report from Smith County found that cotinine can be detected in saliva for up to four days after the last use. Saliva testing is a non-invasive method that causes little discomfort to patients.

How long does nicotine stay in urine?

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, urinary cotinine levels normalize about seven to 10 days after the last use. In a smoker, it can take two to three weeks for the cotinine from cigarette smoke to disappear from the body.

When urine samples are tested, cotinine is the most common method of detection. According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Medicine, four to six times more cotinine can be detected in urine than in blood or saliva.

False-positive test

Thiocyanate, a compound found in some medications and foods such as broccoli, garlic, radishes, almonds and cabbage, can cause a false-positive blood test result. In vegetarians who consume large amounts of these foods, thiocyanate levels can enter the bloodstream, which can cause a positive test result.

How long does it take to break down nicotine?

The first step in detoxing from nicotine is to stop using all tobacco products. The more products you consume, the longer it takes for the substance to be detected in your body.

To get nicotine out of your system

Once you quit smoking, there are several things you can do to speed up the removal of nicotine from your body.

• Choosing healthy foods can help nicotine disappear from your body faster.
• Exercise can boost your metabolism and make sure nicotine is processed faster.
• Products and herbal supplements marketed to speed nicotine breakdown have not been tested by the FDA.