There might be something to this. I have PTSD from some pretty nasty things that happened to me during my childhood and as an adult. I chew nicotine gum and have noticed a marked decrease in PSTD symptoms for the past 3 1/2 years I've been chewing. It doesn't alleviate symptoms when I'm in periods of extreme stress but now that I think of it the nicotine helps! Figures, I quit smoking and now I'm addicted to the gum. My doctor says its still better than smoking.