Nicotine pouches hit harder than cigarettes and vapes, and you also absorb more nicotine when using pouches. Does that mean that nicotine lingers in your body for a long time? If so, how long do nicotine pouches stay in your system?
In this straightforward guide, we’ll explore nicotine’s half-life, its presence in blood, saliva, urine, and hair, and factors that influence how long it stays there. We’ll also offer tips to help you eliminate nicotine from your body faster.
How Long Does Nicotine From Pouches Stay in Your System?
It takes 1–3 days for nicotine to dissipate from your system entirely. Its main metabolite, cotinine, will clear out of your system in about ten days.
Various factors can affect the elimination of nicotine and cotinine, as shown in the following table:
| Factor | Description |
| Age | Older people (65+) take longer to expel nicotine and cotinine from their bodies than younger users |
| History of nicotine consumption | If you’re a regular user, nicotine can build up in your system over time, which may delay the elimination process |
| Genetic makeup | Different ethnic groups metabolize nicotine at different rates. According to research, Caucasians and Hispanics metabolize nicotine faster than Africans and Asians |
| Sex and hormones | Women tend to metabolize nicotine faster than men, especially while pregnant or on birth control |
| Liver function | The rate of nicotine metabolism varies among individuals depending on the liver enzyme activity |
| Medications | Some medications can slow down or accelerate nicotine metabolism. For example, high blood pressure medication slows down nicotine metabolism |
| Kidney function | Consumers with impaired kidney function may take longer to clear nicotine from their bodies |
Despite clearing out in one to three days, nicotine can still be detected in:
- Blood
- Saliva
- Urine
- Hair
How Long Can Nicotine Be Detected in the Blood?
Source: Nguyễn Hiệp
Nicotine can be detected in your blood for up to 3 days after you quit nicopods. Unfortunately, blood tests are not the most effective way to detect nicotine use because of the short detection window. Additionally, blood tests often measure cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine breakdown. This can lead to false positive results if you’re using nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches or gum.
How Long Nicotine Stays in the Saliva
Like blood tests, saliva tests are not commonly used to detect nicotine use due to the relatively short detection window. Nicotine can be found in saliva for up to 4 days after use, but this varies from person to person. Cotinine may still be present and detectable in saliva for up to 7 days in heavy nicotine users.
How Long Nicotine Stays in Urine
Nicotine stays in your urine for up to 10 days after quitting nicotine products. After nicotine is metabolized in the liver, it is filtered out by the kidneys and cleared out with urine, resulting in a longer detection window. Cotinine levels in urine are also 4–6 times higher than in blood and saliva, making it a more reliable biomarker for detecting nicotine exposure.
How Long Is Nicotine Detectable in Hair
Nicotine can be detected in hair for up to 90 days after use. Some hair tests can detect nicotine use for up to a year after quitting. Unfortunately, hair tests are also the most expensive and can cause false positives due to environmental exposure to nicotine.
How Is Nicotine Absorbed From Nicopods?
When you place a nicopod between your upper lip and gum, your saliva moistens the pouch, releasing nicotine, which enters the bloodstream through the lining of your mouth.
Once in the bloodstream, nicotine travels to your brain, where it binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and induces a sense of pleasure or relaxation. This process happens within seconds, leading to near-instant satisfaction.
Nicotine is metabolized in the liver by an enzyme called CYP2A6, which breaks it down into various metabolites, including cotinine.
Cotinine is the most commonly used biomarker for measuring nicotine exposure. It has a longer half-life than nicotine, lasting about 16 hours compared to nicotine’s 1–2 hours. Cotinine is filtered out of the body through the kidneys and eliminated through urine.
How Much Nicotine Do You Absorb From Nicotine Pouches?
Source: SnusBoss
Typically, you absorb 30% of nicotine from a pouch. Once in the bloodstream, the liver metabolizes 80% of the nicotine (forming cotinine and other metabolites), and the other 20% moves to the brain and binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
This means that only about 6% of the nicotine you consume through a pouch actually reaches your brain. The remaining amount is broken down and eliminated from the body.
Keep in mind that nicotine absorption varies from person to person, hence the difference in experience and effect. The following factors can influence the nicotine absorption rate:
- Duration of use—Nicopods take between 5–30 minutes to deliver nicotine into your system. The longer you keep the pouch in your mouth, the more nicotine you will absorb. However, there is no need to keep a pouch for more than an hour because most of the nicotine will have already been released by then
- Number of pouches used—The more pouches you use, the higher your overall nicotine intake will be. Typically, an average user consumes 8–12 pouches per day, but this can vary depending on individual preferences and tolerance levels
- Nicotine strength—Strong nicotine pouches have a higher concentration of nicotine, so you can absorb more of it, resulting in a faster and more intense rush
- Saliva pH—Nicotine is best absorbed in an alkaline environment, so a higher pH level of your saliva may lead to faster absorption. Foods and beverages can also impact the saliva pH, potentially affecting nicotine absorption
- Metabolism—Every person’s metabolism is unique, and it can affect how quickly the body breaks down and eliminates nicotine. Factors like age, weight, genetics, and liver function can influence metabolism and, consequently, the nicotine elimination rate
How To Eliminate Nicotine From Your System Faster
Though nicotine and its metabolites will eventually leave your system on their own, there are a few things you can do to expedite the process:
- Stay hydrated—Drinking plenty of water will lead to frequent urination, which will help eliminate nicotine from your system. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily
- Get active—Physical activity can help increase your metabolism and speed up the elimination of nicotine. Sweating can also help rid your body of toxins
- Eat a balanced diet—Eating nutrient-dense foods, especially those high in antioxidants, can support optimal liver function and improve metabolism. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are excellent sources of antioxidants. Avoid processed foods and excessive alcohol consumption
- Get enough sleep—Adequate rest is essential for proper metabolic function. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night to support your body’s natural detoxification process. If you have trouble sleeping, try implementing a relaxing bedtime routine by reading a book or meditating. Avoid screens and alcohol before bed
- Consider supplements—Certain supplements, such as vitamin C and milk thistle, can support liver function and aid in nicotine elimination. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen
Source: engin akyurt
Ultimately, the best way to eliminate nicotine from your system is to quit using it altogether. Nicotine is highly addictive, and quitting can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. As nicotine exits your system, you may experience:
- Intense cravings
- Irritability
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hunger
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
The intensity of these symptoms will peak during the first few hours, but they will gradually subside within several days.
Potential Side Effects of Excessive Nicotine Use
Consuming nicopods frequently and in high doses can lead to nicotine poisoning. Milder side effects of nicotine overconsumption may occur within 30–60 minutes after exposure. If they don’t subside, you might have nicotine poisoning, which entails severe adverse reactions, typically appearing after 1–4 hours. Check out the table below for more details:
| Mild Effects | Severe Adverse Reactions |
| Nausea or vomiting Burning sensation in your mouth Heartburn Hiccups Loss of appetite Increased heart rate High blood pressure Headache Excessive salivation Quick, heavy breathing Dizziness or tremors Confusion Anxiety | Diarrhea Shallow breathing Slower heartbeat and blood pressure Extreme fatigue Paralysis Pale skin |
In extreme cases, high nicotine doses can lead to seizures, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and coma. You should avoid consuming nicopods if you are:
- Under 21 years of age
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Suffering from heart disease or high blood pressure
- Allergic to nicotine or any other ingredient in the product
If you’ve never used nicotine pouches before, it’s best to skip them altogether because the substance is highly addictive. In case you are a regular consumer, use nicopods in moderation to prevent the aforementioned side effects. Always keep nicopods away from children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion.
To make sure you have a pleasant and safe experience with nicotine pouches, get your nicopods from reliable manufacturers and trusted vendors. Low-quality products can contain dangerous additives or have inconsistent nicotine levels, so the chances of unwanted reactions are higher. Reputable brands offer nicopods that underwent rigorous testing, so you can enjoy your sessions without worry, especially if you stick to the usage guidelines.
Source: Swenico
Use High-Quality Nicopods for the Best Nicotine Experience
SnusBoss, an online store created by industry experts, offers a fantastic selection of high-quality nicopods from trusted EU brands.
Unlike the U.S., the EU has progressive laws regarding nicotine pouches development, resulting in products with more moisture, intense buzz, and fantastic flavors. In 2016, the FDA disincentivized further development of nicopod recipes by categorizing them as smokeless tobacco products and imposing limitations on their marketing and selling, so European manufacturers are pretty far ahead with their formulas.
Exciting EU brands you can find at SnusBoss are:
You can order your pouches in 3 steps:
- Visit the online store
- Select your preferred products
- Fill out your payment info and shipping details
If you choose express shipping, your pouches will be delivered to your doorstep in 2–3 days. You can also take advantage of SnusBoss’s regular promotions to get more value for your money or order in bulk (above $249) to enjoy free delivery.
Featured image source: cottonbro studio
