Some athletes swear by smelling salts. Here's the truth about them.

When it comes to competition, many of us are looking for an edge, particularly when we are pushing our bodies to the max. What can I do to get stronger? Faster? More alert and focused? 

Some athletes may have turned to, and swear by, “smelling salts,” a preparation containing ammonium carbonate. Smelling salts smell… bad, and can be irritating to nasal passages. In fact, the smell is so jarring, that it sets off autonomic nervous system reflexes to “fight or flight” mode, and, importantly, it causes a reflex to breathe deeply, therefore increasing the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain. This is why it’s FDA-approved for the treatment of fainting, as it can help the person wake back up.

Users contend that smelling salts are a “pick me up” that can help with performance. We spoke with experts to find out everything you need to know about smelling salts. 

Are smelling salts bad for you?

When used properly, they are generally safe, but there can be some side effects. Dr. David Conti, MD, a sports medicine physician at Dayton Children’s Hospital in Ohio explains, “If used as directed, they (smelling salts) are generally safe. However, they are only FDA-approved for fainting and there are risks. Mild effects can include coughing, sneezing, vomiting, headaches or difficulty catching breath.” He adds, “More severe reactions can include chemical burns to the eyes, nose, or lungs, especially with repeated use. For people with lung conditions, such as asthma or emphysema, they can cause significant breathing problems.” 

Do smelling salts help with performance?

No one is sure how much smelling salts impacts performance. “People think it helps them, and sometimes that’s enough to help somebody,” neurologist Erin Manning, of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, previously told USA TODAY.

Dr. Howard Pratt, a psychiatrist at Community Health of South Florida, Inc., and former NCAA student-athlete, agrees.

“Say you have an athlete at sea level, say southern California, 50% humidity right by the coast, and then they travel to Arizona where it’s 100 degrees and dry. They use a smelling salt, and now they feel like they can breathe and they’re ready to compete. It’s purely psychological. It’s this feeling that if I do this, I have an edge.” 

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Why are smelling salts banned in boxing?

Smelling salts do not appear to improve performance in any sport. However, in sports where significant head, neck or spine injury may have occurred, (like boxing) a smelling salt can “mask” the symptoms of a concussion which can further harm an athlete. Conti elaborates, “Furthermore, as the intense smell can cause a reflexive head jerk, they (smelling salts) can cause detrimental effects for athletes who have sustained neck injuries.” 

If you are looking for ways to improve your performance, there are other, more effective ways to gain ground. You may want to consider working with an athletic trainer, nutritionist or sports psychologist, with each expert being able to provide unique insights into how to become the best athlete you can be. 

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