Nicotine
( NIC )
| Cut-Off Levels (ng/mL) | Window of Detection |
|---|---|
| 250 ng/mL (Urine) | 5 - 7 Days (Urine) |
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a stimulant commonly found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and electronic cigarettes. Nicotine is highly addictive causing depended in users. It is one the most used drugs around the world and has been socially acceptable, though in recent years recent years smoking, one the most common ways to consume nicotine, has decreased due to negative health effects that come with smoking tobacco.
Common Nicknames
Smokes
Butts
Cigs
Dip
Snuff
Chew
How is it Used?
Nicotine is a liquid alkaloid of the tobacco plant and can be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes in the body but is most commonly consumed by smoking tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars. In more recent years smoking has decreased, however, electronic cigarettes, which are tobaccoless electronic devices that will vaporize an oil extract containing nicotine, has become increasingly popular. People can also chew or absorb nicotine through chewing tobacco know as snuff or dip. There are also transdermal patches the can be placed on the skin and nicotine gum that can be chewed typically when someone is trying to quit smoking. Brands like Chantix offer tablets that can be taken orally for smoking cessation as well.
What Does it Look Like?
Tobacco leaves contain nicotine and when dried look dark to light brown. Nicotine in its pure state is an odorless, colorless liquid, oily in consistency, and turns brownish when exposed to light
Common Symptoms
Rapid heart rate
High blood pressure
Irritability
Nausea
Headaches
Halitosis
What Are the Effects?
When nicotine is consumed a brief a sudden surge of endorphins released increasing the dopamine neurotransmitters that are associated with the reward circuits in the brain. Comparable to the high of other stimulants such as coffee and cocaine but at a much lesser degree. This plays a part in the dependency that is caused from consuming nicotine and will actually make a user feel as is they are being rewarded for the behavior. Users will feel a calming euphoric sensation that is short in duration leading to habitual use. Cessation of nicotine can cause physical withdrawal symptoms that can last from 2-4 weeks but psychological dependence can last much longer. Smoking tobacco can cause serious health effects and has been linked to heart disease, strokes, heart attacks, gum disease, and cancer.
Legal Status
Currently available commercially for anyone 19 years of age or older.
