Nicotine is a chemical compound present in tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. When consumed, it gets metabolized into several other substances, the most notable of which is cotinine.[1]Nicotine
Nicotine itself has a half-life of about 1 to 2 hours, meaning that half of the nicotine in your body is eliminated within this time frame. However, cotinine, which is commonly tested for in nicotine tests, has a much longer half-life, typically around 15 to 20 hours.
Complete elimination of all metabolites from the body takes longer. It can take several days to a week or more for nicotine and its metabolites to be undetectable in urine tests. Blood tests can typically detect cotinine for up to 1-3 days after last use. Saliva tests can sometimes detect the presence of nicotine for up to a few weeks after last use.
Factors such as the person’s metabolism, body mass, hydration level, physical activity, and the extent of tobacco use can all affect how quickly nicotine is eliminated from the body.
Is it possible to get nicotine out of your system in 12 hours?
Given those half-lives mention above, it’s unlikely that all nicotine and its metabolites could be fully eliminated from your system within 12 hours, especially if you’ve been a regular tobacco user. The metabolites can still be detected in your urine, blood, or saliva even if the nicotine itself has been metabolized.
It’s also worth noting that attempting to speed up the process of nicotine elimination, such as by drinking excessive water or using detoxifying substances, is generally ineffective and can potentially be harmful to your health. If you’re interested in quitting smoking or other forms of tobacco use, I would recommend seeking advice from a healthcare provider, who can provide you with safe and effective methods of nicotine cessation.