Nicotine is one of the most hotly debated aspects of the vaping debate, but what does it do in your body, and how long does it stay there?
One of the USP’s for vaping is that it helps ex-smokers kick the habit for good. This is how vaping started out, and was initially marketed when first presented to the world by pharmacist Hon Lik in the mid noughties. From the simple ex-smoker orientated cigalike to the high tech vape mods of the modern day, the one constant throughout the decade has been the inclusion of nicotine and the role that it plays in satisfying that craving.
Having taken so many lives over the last centuries, the addictive quality of tobacco has been the aspect which most frustrates those trying to kick the habit. Luckily, vaping can help you to cut down your intake of nicotine due to the varying amounts available in e liquids. If you’re a pack a day smoker then 18 mg vape juice is a great starting point, and if you so wish you can begin to lessen your intake and control the addiction.
Nicotine and your body
Nicotine will stay in your system for a fairly long time, although after it is processed by the liver it is broken down into another substance named cotinine. Cotinine is the base chemical of nicotine, and it is this which will stay in your system for the longest. Nicotine will therefore be present in your body for varying amounts of time, depending on how regular your intake is. Irregular nicotine users will most likely have no trace in their body after three days, whilst those who regular smoke or vape large quantities of the chemical, will still have traces up to 4 weeks later.
The effects of nicotine
There are clear reasons why nicotine is so addictive. Not only does it release dopamine into your brain, bringing pleasure and relaxation, but it maintains focus and alertness in small quantities.
Large dosages however, can be dangerous. Nicotine exposure in tis plant form can give farmers rashes and concentrated nicotine vape juice can cause nausea and vomiting, and in extreme cases of the less tolerant (keep your vape juices away from pets and children, people) can even lead to death. Nicotine is unique in this way; it acts as both a depressant and a stimulant, higher dosages slowing the heartbeat rather than quickening it.
Why do people take nicotine tests?
Whether its for work or for a medical examination, nicotine testing has a range of different applications. From the perfunctory medical exam to those looking to secure health insurance policies from their work, nicotine tests can have a real effect on your life.
Nicotine tests for health insurance reasons have become increasingly frustrating in the vaping age. This is because of how nicotine in your system would in the past denote the use of tobacco. With vaping being 98 percent safer and still containing the addictive substance, you now have to take more measures to ensure you get the best health insurance policy possible.
What are the most effective nicotine tests?
Urine tests
For heavy nicotine users, traces can be found in the urine for up to a month whilst light users will find it leaving the system after 4 or 5 days. These tests are one of the simplest, in that it requires only you and a vial of urine to complete.
Blood tests
Usually reserved for when incredibly accurate results are required, you’ll find that nicotine stays in your blood for around 4 to 5 days, but can vary from person, reaching up to a week. These tests are probably the most hassle, especially for the squeamish but give incredibly detailed results.
Saliva Tests
Another simple test to complete; simply swab your mouth and place it in a protective bag. Nicotine can be found in the saliva for only a small amount of time. If you haven’t used nicotine for a few days, then the detection window will have closed.
Hair tests
Although infrequently used, hair testing has the longest detection window. Cotinine can be found in the hair for anywhere up to a year since you last ingested nicotine.