How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your System?

• Nicotine normally clears in 1–3 days, but cotinine, which forms after nicotine use, can last up to 3 weeks.
• The product type, nicotine strength, moisture, pH can all affect nicotine clearance.
• Each individual processes nicotine differently.
• Blood, urine, saliva, and hair tests have different detection windows.
• Sleep and mood may be affected during the withdrawal period.

Nicotine typically leaves your system within about 1–3 days, while cotinine, the substance your body turns nicotine into, can linger for up to three weeks in heavy users. This is why tests usually focus on cotinine rather than nicotine itself.

• Light or occasional users: nicotine usually goes in 1–2 days; cotinine up to a week.
• Heavy or frequent users: cotinine can remain for up to 3 weeks.

This difference is due to how nicotine is metabolised. The average half-life of nicotine is 2–3 hours, meaning levels in the blood halve every few hours. But because cotinine has a longer half-life, it extends the detection window¹.

Nicotine stays in the body for different lengths of time depending on the product, the dose, and the individual. These factors explain why some people clear nicotine more quickly than others:

• Type of product: Cigarettes deliver nicotine to the brain in around 10–20 seconds, while nicotine pouches (tobacco-free snus) release it more gradually over 20–60 minutes. Other nicotine products will vary.
• Nicotine strength and pouch design: Not all of the nicotine in a pouch is absorbed. For example, a clinical study on ZYN found that after 60 minutes of use, around 40-60% of the nicotine had been released. (Lunell et al., 2020).
• pH and moisture: Pouches with a higher pH (above 8) or more moisture release nicotine more rapidly.
• Personal factors: Your age, metabolism, hydration levels, and even saliva pH can affect how much nicotine you absorb.
• Health and medication: Certain medical conditions or medicines may slow down how quickly your body processes nicotine-

Nicotine is detectable for a relatively short time, but cotinine extends the detection window across different test methods. The following timelines are averages, and heavy users may show longer results:

• Blood: Nicotine: up to 1–3 days; Cotinine: up to 10 days
• Urine: Nicotine: up to 4 days; Cotinine: up to 3 weeks in heavy users
• Saliva: Nicotine and cotinine: usually up to 4 days
• Hair: Both can be detected for up to 90 days or longer

Nicotine withdrawal begins once it leaves your system, often within the first day. This process affects both the body and the mind.

Many people notice irritability, changes in sleep patterns, and cravings. Research shows nicotine stimulates receptors in the brain that release dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, so its absence can temporarily cause restlessness and lower mood.

Nicotine stimulates the release of norepinephrine along with dopamine and serotonin, which is one reason why people feel more awake and focused after using nicotine.

According to research², nicotine also disrupts sleep quality and circadian rhythms. Using nicotine close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep, and withdrawal can cause night-time cravings. Over time, sleep patterns usually improve. This is just to name a few, there are other side effects of nicotine.

For a full breakdown of withdrawal stages, see our guide on how to quit snus.

Nicotine detox refers to the body’s natural process of breaking down nicotine and cotinine over time. This process is influenced by the half-life of nicotine and your metabolism:

Nicotine has a half-life of around 2–3 hours, meaning it takes that long for blood levels to reduce by half. Cotinine, however, lasts much longer, which is why it is the main marker used in testing³.

Nicotine clearance happens mainly with time. Drinking water, eating well, and exercising may support metabolism, but there’s no proven way to “flush nicotine out” of your system instantly.