Smelling salts, also known as ammonia inhalants or aromatic spirits of ammonia, are chemical compounds used primarily to cause a sudden, intense physical reaction in the user. Historically administered to revive people who had fainted, these inhalants have found a new context of use among athletes, particularly in powerlifting and high-intensity sports. Competitors often use them immediately before a maximal lift or high-stakes play to achieve a momentary boost in alertness and focus. Understanding the powerful mechanism behind this jolt is the first step toward determining how often they should be used.
The Immediate Physiological Effect
Smelling salts typically contain ammonium carbonate, which releases a pungent ammonia gas upon activation. When inhaled, the ammonia fumes act as a potent irritant to the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages and the lungs. This intense irritation stimulates the trigeminal nerve endings in the nose, which are responsible for transmitting sensations like pain and temperature from the face.
The stimulation of these nerve endings triggers an involuntary protective reflex known as the inhalation reflex. This immediate, sharp reaction causes the user to take a sudden, deep gasp of breath in an attempt to clear the irritant from the airways. This reflex leads to a rapid increase in the rate and depth of breathing, temporarily sending more oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
The body’s response is a sympathetic nervous system activation, commonly known as the “fight or flight” response. This cascade releases hormones like adrenaline, resulting in an elevated heart rate and a feeling of heightened awareness and energy. Athletes seek this physical and psychological shock for an instant surge before an intense effort.
Guidelines for Safe and Infrequent Use
The intense nature of the physiological reaction dictates that smelling salts should be used with extreme infrequency to preserve safety. For athletes in strength sports, this means reserving their use exclusively for maximal-effort attempts or competition lifts. They are a tool for a specific, high-intensity moment, not a habitual part of a training session.
A strong guideline is to limit use to no more than once per training session, and preferably only for one or two maximum-effort attempts per week. Using them for every heavy set or multiple times in quick succession within an hour is a clear sign of misuse. The correct technique is also necessary for minimizing localized harm and involves holding the inhalant at least four to six inches (10 to 15 centimeters) away from the nostrils.
The user should take only one brief whiff, ideally lasting no more than two seconds, to achieve the intended physiological effect. Following a single use, the packaging should be immediately sealed to prevent unnecessary exposure. This careful, distant, and brief application manages the concentration of the ammonia gas that reaches the delicate nasal tissues.
Identifying and Avoiding Misuse
Chronic or incorrect use of ammonia inhalants introduces significant health risks that undermine any perceived performance benefit. The most immediate concern is chemical injury to the respiratory system, as repeated exposure to concentrated ammonia gas can cause chemical burns to the sensitive membranes of the nasal passages and airways. Frequent irritation of the tissues over time can lead to chronic inflammation and may exacerbate existing conditions like asthma or bronchitis. In rare, severe cases of overuse or prolonged exposure, the chemical irritation can contribute to permanent damage to the lung tissue.
Another danger of habitual use is the development of olfactory fatigue, which is a temporary decrease in the ability to detect odors. This dulled sense of smell creates a dangerous situation where the user might unknowingly expose themselves to higher, more harmful concentrations of ammonia without registering the characteristic pungent warning.
Furthermore, using smelling salts after a hard impact, such as in contact sports, poses a severe risk of masking the symptoms of a concussion or neck trauma. The involuntary head jerk caused by the intense inhalation reflex can also potentially worsen an undiagnosed spinal injury. Therefore, their use is contraindicated in any situation involving a head or neck injury.
Finally, relying on smelling salts for every heavy lift creates a psychological dependence, turning a tool into a “crutch.” This overuse diminishes the psychological benefit over time and prevents the athlete from developing natural mental fortitude and arousal techniques for performance. The salts should be viewed as an infrequent, last-resort measure, not a routine necessity.