How long does Nicotine stay in your System?

How long does Nicotine stay in your System?

About 90% of the consumed nicotine is rapidly subjected to metabolism by the liver’s cytochrome P450 enzymes and is excreted by the kidneys. However, the remaining nicotine (0.031 mg of the 1 mg of inhaled nicotine yielded from 1 cigarette) stays in the circulation for almost 6 to 8 hours after smoking. How long the substance remains in the system will largely depend on the amount of nicotine absorbed by the body and on its half life (1 hour).

For someone who consumes 10 cigars a day, it will almost certainly take a few days for the toxin to be expelled. For individuals who get to use up a pack a day, the substance stays in the blood for a month.

What is nicotine?

Obtained from the leaves of Nicotania tabacum in the form of a hygroscopic, oily, colorless liquid substance, nicotine, when exposed to air, rapidly becomes brownish. This extremely toxic alkaloid possesses an unpleasantly pungent taste and smell is used as an active component of tobacco.

This can be delivered to the circulation via skin, lungs and mucous membrane. From the tissues, it moves into the bloodstream in haste, and finally into the brain in just 10 seconds after inhalation. As soon as this substance enters the brain, it attaches to a multitude of chemical locks, influencing the release of hundreds of chemicals.

Drug test for nicotine

The presence of nicotine can be gauged using samples of blood, plasma, hair, urine and saliva.

Urine test

The breakdown of nicotine results to a large amount of metabolites in the body fluids, with cotinine as its most important metabolite. The detection of this metabolite is by far and wide the most conventional test to check if one consumed tobacco due to its greater half life than other metabolites. Urine is tested for the presence of this biomarker which may still be present 4 days after smoking.

Blood test

To analyze smaller traces of absorbed nicotine, blood test is done.

Hair test

To detect substances that remained after months of years of tobacco consumption, a hair test is administered. In this test, the hair is analyzed for the presence of substance; however this method is rarely used because of its costly price.

Nicotine addiction

Merely a slight amount of nicotine is present in cigarettes, and a large amount of free base nicotine is extinguished by the heat of burning, therefore the tangible intensity of nicotine left in smoke is depleted. But no matter how insignificant the amount is, it may still be enough to become addictive. The amount of nicotine absorption may vary depending on the tobacco type and the presence of a filter.

As an individual consumes tobacco in any way it is available, nicotine starts to accumulate in the system, and eventually, the smoker develops an overwhelming craving.

Nicotine side effects

GENERAL

• Euphoria
• Relaxation
• Eventual addiction
• High sugar level
• Increased blood pressure
• Tachycardia
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Vasoconstriction

PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS

Nicotine has a biphasic effect. When used in increasing doses, nicotine can become a relaxant from being stimulant initially.

• Alertness
• Enhanced concentration
• Heightened arousal
• Reduced appetite and increased metabolism
• Lessened Anxiety
• Calmness
• Pain reduction

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms

The use of nicotine stimulates the mesolimbic pathway. If the body is introduced to nicotine over and over again, but is absolutely discontinued, an irresistible craving is manifested until there is no more nicotine left in the bloodstream.

The early weeks after smoking cessation are generally the most difficult. On average, it takes about 8 to 12 weeks for the smoker to become at ease with the non-smoker lifestyle.

Unless a certain level of nicotine is sustained, the person experiences manifestations of nicotine withdrawal. These symptoms can be tough nevertheless, are only passing. These include;

Bodily symptoms

• Intense headache
• Stress
• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Craving
• Tingling sensation in hands and feet
• Increased perspiration
• Chest tightness

Mental symptoms

• Outburst of anger
• Mood swings
• Insomnia and night-time awakening
• Disorientation
• Nervousness
• Bad temper
• Depression
• Increased appetite

How to clear nicotine from body

Although insignificant residues of nicotine may still remain in the bloodstream long after the act of smoking, the substance can be cleared speedily by a number of means. Fluid intake frees the body from this super toxin; the more water is consumed, the faster the excretion of nicotine. Regular exercise can also help as metabolic process is increased.