The length of time nicotine remains in your body varies based on factors like usage frequency, dose, and individual metabolism. Understanding these timelines can help with testing, quitting, or managing consumption.
- Blood: Nicotine is detectable in blood tests for 1–3 days after last use, while its metabolite cotinine can be found for up to 10 days.
- Urine: Cotinine is detectable in urine for 3–4 days in occasional users, and up to 3 weeks in heavy, chronic users.
- Saliva: Nicotine and cotinine can be detected in saliva for 1–4 days after use.
- Hair: Hair follicle tests can detect nicotine use for up to 90 days, as nicotine accumulates in growing hair strands.
Factors like age, liver function, hydration, and the type of nicotine product (pouches, vaping, cigarettes) can influence these windows. Quitting nicotine entirely will gradually reduce these detection times over time.