NFL Bans Use of Smelling Salts for Player Safety and Concussion Risk Reduction
The National Football League (NFL) has prohibited the use of smelling salts due to safety concerns, as announced on Tuesday. The league’s decision is based on a warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the substance, marketed to boost alertness and energy, lacks evidence of safety and effectiveness for such purposes.
In addition to broader safety issues, the NFL highlighted that the substance could conceal signs of a concussion, given that one is estimated to occur in approximately every two games played.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle expressed disappointment about the ban during an interview with the NFL Network, as he frequently uses smelling salts during games and hoped to find a compromise with the league. Similar bans have been implemented by organizations such as the National Rugby League in Australia and the International Boxing Federation.
Smelling salts consist of ammonium carbonate, which was initially called ‘salt of hartshorn’ due to its historical derivation from male deer horns. Today, they are used for preventing and treating fainting and are even carried by U.S. airlines as per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
When used, the ammonia gas released from smelling salts activates receptors in the nose, leading to increased respiratory rate, cerebral blood flow, and heart rate. Some athletes have sought after this physiological response due to its subjective increase in perceived alertness and energy levels.
However, Dr. Laura Boxley, a neuropsychologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, emphasized that smelling salts’ intended use is not for athletic performance enhancement. She explained that excessive use of the substance by some athletes could lead to adverse events such as shortness of breath, seizures, and migraines.
Though smelling salts can mask symptoms of concussions, their use after a head injury could exacerbate the damage. The potent ammonia gas might trigger a sudden jolt of the head and neck, potentially complicating an otherwise undetected injury.
The long-term effects of frequent smelling salt exposure are not fully understood, as repeated usage ventures into uncharted territory. Despite their medical applications at times, athletes should exercise caution when using the substance off-label, considering the potential risks involved.