Smelling salts, formally known as ammonia inhalants, are compounds used to stimulate the senses and prevent or remedy fainting. These preparations have been used for centuries, historically by medical professionals to revive individuals who have temporarily lost consciousness. Today, their classification is complex, existing in a regulatory gray area due to their wide use by athletes seeking alertness. Whether smelling salts qualify as a drug depends entirely on their specific formulation, labeling, and intended use under modern regulatory law.
Chemical Composition and Physiological Action
Smelling salts typically consist of ammonium carbonate or dilute ammonia dissolved in a mixture of water and ethanol. When exposed to air or when a capsule is crushed, these compounds release ammonia gas (NH3). This gas is the active agent, possessing a sharp, acrid odor similar to household cleaning products. The primary physiological effect is not a pharmacological interaction but a direct physical irritation.
The ammonia gas forcefully irritates the mucous membranes lining the nose and lungs. This irritation stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face. The intense, noxious sensation triggers an involuntary inhalation reflex, causing a person to gasp and breathe more deeply and quickly.
This reflexive action results in an immediate increase in respiratory rate and heart rate, temporarily increasing blood flow to the brain. The entire sequence is a sympathetic nervous system response, promoting a temporary “fight-or-flight” state of arousal. This sudden rush of oxygen and heightened awareness historically helped revive a person from a faint.
Regulatory Classification and Status
Smelling salts do not fit the common definition of a drug designed to treat disease or alter biological function. Historically, some formulations, such as Aromatic Ammonia Spirit, were regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a reflex stimulant to treat fainting. However, this traditional use has largely fallen out of favor in general medical practice.
Modern commercial products are often marketed specifically for performance enhancement or energy boosting. The FDA defines a “drug” as an article intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Manufacturers of current ammonia inhalant products often make claims about increased alertness or energy, which the FDA interprets as intended drug uses.
The FDA has issued warnings stating that many of these products are “unapproved new drugs.” Manufacturers have not demonstrated that they are safe and effective for these new, non-traditional uses. While the physical action of the ammonia is a stimulation, the regulatory body takes issue with products marketed as stimulants without undergoing the required approval process for over-the-counter drugs. Therefore, when marketed with claims to boost energy or alertness, the regulatory status of the chemical irritant becomes that of an unapproved drug.
Athletic Use and Risks of Misapplication
Smelling salts are primarily used within high-impact and strength-based sports, including powerlifting, football, and ice hockey. Athletes often inhale the fumes immediately before a maximum effort lift, believing the sudden jolt of arousal will enhance focus and readiness. The perception of a performance benefit is strong, though scientific evidence for a substantial ergogenic effect in short bursts of maximal effort remains limited.
The use of ammonia inhalants in a sports context carries risks. One significant danger is the potential to mask the symptoms of a serious neurological injury. The sudden, intense arousal can temporarily override the initial signs of head trauma, allowing an injured athlete to return to play and risk further, more severe harm. Medical professionals strongly advise against using smelling salts in the management of any suspected head injury.
In addition to masking injury, the irritant nature of the gas poses a direct physical threat if misused. Holding the capsule too close to the nasal passages can cause chemical burns to the nasal mucosa. The involuntary reflex to recoil from the noxious fumes can cause a rapid, forceful jerking of the head and neck. This rapid motion is particularly dangerous if an athlete has sustained an underlying cervical spine injury, which could be severely exacerbated by the reflex.