What Are Smelling Salts and Why Do Athletes Use Them?
Smelling salts — ammonia inhalants — are capsules or bottles containing ammonium carbonate that release ammonia gas (NH₃) when broken open. Powerlifters, NFL athletes, and wrestlers use them in the seconds before a maximal effort for an immediate alertness spike.
They are not dietary supplements in the conventional sense. Ammonium carbonate acts through a reflex mechanism, not a metabolic pathway. Understanding the distinction matters for making an honest assessment.
TL;DR
- Ammonia inhalants trigger a brief alertness spike through a nasal reflex
- Scientific evidence for meaningful performance improvement is weak
- Safety profile is controversial — repeated use can irritate the respiratory mucosa
- Caffeine, pre-workout carbohydrates, and dynamic warm-up are better-evidenced alternatives
- Available in Estonia at sports shops for ~€3–8 per pack
How Smelling Salts Work
When the capsule is cracked, ammonium carbonate decomposes: (NH₄)₂CO₃ → 2 NH₃ + H₂O + CO₂. The ammonia gas irritates the trigeminal nerve endings in the nasal mucosa, triggering a three-step cascade:
1. Inhalation reflex — rapid, deep breath; respiratory rate rises sharply
2. Sympathetic activation — noradrenaline release, increased heart rate and blood pressure
3. Reticular activating system arousal — sudden shift to high-alert consciousness
The entire effect lasts 3–10 seconds, fading within 1–2 minutes. It is a reflex response, not a pharmacological enhancement.
What Does the Research Actually Show?
The evidence base is surprisingly thin for something so widely used in elite sport.
Vigil et al. (2018, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research) tested ammonia inhalants in 10 trained men across squat and deadlift trials. They found no statistically significant improvement in force or power output compared to a placebo condition, despite subjective ratings of alertness being higher. The felt experience did not translate to the barbell.
McCrory (2006, British Journal of Sports Medicine) reviewed smelling salt use in sport and emergency medicine and concluded that the practice rests more on tradition than evidence, with no robust clinical trials supporting performance claims.
Herrick (2004, Athletic Training & Sports Health Care) noted that repeated use may irritate upper respiratory tract mucosa and raised concerns about masking concussion symptoms — which has become the most serious safety issue in contact sports.
When Might Ammonia Inhalants Be Considered?
If used at all, the most defensible scenarios are:
- Powerlifting competition — a single maximal lift attempt when an athlete is mentally fatigued and needs acute arousal
- American football — returning to play after a legal hit, needing rapid re-focus (though this overlaps dangerously with concussion territory)
- Combat sports — pre-bout ritual with infrequent, deliberate use
Do not use smelling salts to:
- Replace a proper warm-up
- Train regularly — the reflex adapts, risk remains
- Evaluate or dismiss a concussion — this is the most critical safety caveat
- Allow athletes under 18 to use without medical supervision
Smelling Salts vs Practical Alternatives
| Method | Alertness Effect | Evidence Base | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia inhalants | Immediate, 1–2 min | Weak | Controversial |
| Caffeine 3–6 mg/kg | 30–60 min, strong | Robust | Good |
| Pre-workout carbohydrates | Slower, sustained | Robust | Excellent |
| Cold water splash | Immediate, brief | Moderate | Excellent |
| Dynamic warm-up | 5–10 min, sustained | Strong | Excellent |
Caffeine is the most thoroughly researched alertness-enhancing supplement: a meta-analysis by Ganio et al. (2009, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research) confirmed significant effects on strength, power, and endurance at 3–6 mg/kg body weight, with a well-characterized safety profile.
Safety Concerns
Ammonia inhalants are available in Estonia at sports shops and some pharmacies for €3–8 per pack. They are not classified as medicines and use is unregulated.
Key risks:
- Respiratory irritation — high-concentration exposure can damage mucosal lining; hold the capsule 10–15 cm from the nose, never directly under it
- Eye irritation — keep away from eyes when opening
- Concussion masking — the most serious risk in contact sports; ammonia-induced arousal can temporarily mask concussion symptoms and lead to continued play with a brain injury
- Contraindications — asthmatics and people with respiratory conditions face higher risk
Several North American professional leagues have moved to restrict or ban in-game smelling salt use specifically because of the concussion masking problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smelling salts legal in sport?
Yes. WADA does not prohibit ammonia inhalants. They are legal in powerlifting, athletics, and most combat sports. Some professional leagues have internal policies restricting in-game use.
Do smelling salts actually improve performance?
They reliably increase subjective alertness for 1–2 minutes. However, controlled studies have not confirmed this translates into measurable improvements in strength or power output. The felt boost is real; the performance benefit is unproven.
How often can smelling salts be used safely?
Occasional use only — at most for competition-level maximal attempts. Regular training use is not recommended: the reflex diminishes with repeated exposure and mucosal irritation accumulates.
Can smelling salts mask a concussion?
Yes, and this is the most important safety concern. If an athlete has sustained a head impact, ammonia inhalant use to return to play should be considered a red flag. Concussion assessment must occur before any stimulant use.
Are there smelling salt products available in Estonia?
Yes, occasionally in larger sports shops (Sportland, Decathlon) and online. Brands like Ward's smelling salts and Viking Smelling Salts are available through European distributors, typically €5–12 for a pack.
References
1. Vigil JN, Sabatini PL, Hill LC, et al. (2018). The effects of ammonia inhalants on strength performance in resistance-trained men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(12), e28–e29.
2. McCrory P. (2006). Smelling salts. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(8), 659–660.
3. Herrick RT. (2004). Clinical review of smelling salts (ammonia inhalants) in athletic training. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, 3(6), 291–293.
4. Ganio MS, Klau JF, Casa DJ, et al. (2009). Effect of caffeine on sport-specific endurance performance: a systematic review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(1), 315–324.
5. McCrory P. (2001). Brain injuries in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 35(3), 137–138.
Summary
Ammonia inhalants deliver a real, immediate arousal response through a well-understood reflex mechanism. What they do not reliably deliver is a meaningful performance improvement — the evidence simply is not there. For the vast majority of athletes, caffeine, proper pre-workout nutrition, and a thorough warm-up will produce better and safer results.
If you choose to experiment with smelling salts, use them sparingly, deliberately, and never as a substitute for concussion evaluation.
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