No, anatabine is NOT nicotine based, it is anatabine citrate. There are currently at least 9 studies at major institutions like Johns Hopkins and the Roskamp Institute (they specialize in neurological diseases -- they are doing a study on head trauma and also on alzheimer's). Anatabloc was discovered when STSI's supplement to help stop smoking, consisting of 6 compounds found in tobacco, had the unexpected effect of helping people's arthritis. The company tested each compound and found that it was anatabine citrate that had the anti-inflammatory effect.

I've found it to be amazingly helpful with allergies, and also muscle/joint aches. Some friends who have taken it have remarked in surprise that now they don't feel sore the day after working out.