Nicotine is processed by the body into several substances, including cotinine. Researchers used molecular computer simulations to study how nicotine and cotinine interact with a model phospholipid membrane similar to structures found in biological cell membranes.
Both molecules moved from water towards the membrane surface, but nicotine showed greater ability to move through the membrane. Both also changed some structural and electrical properties of the model membrane. These findings provide information about molecular behaviour but do not directly show health effects in people.