National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Nicotine metabolites are primarily processed in the liver due to the organ's critical role in drug metabolism. The liver contains a variety of enzymes, particularly those in the cytochrome P450 family, responsible for breaking down substances entering the body, including nicotine. Once nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transported to the liver, where it undergoes biotransformation into various metabolites such as cotinine and other nornicotine derivatives.

The liver's extensive blood supply and enzymatic capabilities make it the main site for the detoxification and elimination of nicotine from the body. While nicotine does exert effects in the brain and can influence heart function, the actual metabolic processing predominantly occurs in the liver, which is equipped to handle a wide range of substances and toxins.