Why NFL Players Sniff Smelling Salts — And Why It’s Banned Now

Picture this: the stadium roars, the air feels electric, and 80,000 eyes are on the field. A defensive lineman, moments before sprinting into a clash of helmets and shoulder pads, pulls out a small packet. Snap. He inhales sharply, eyes widen, and he charges forward like he’s been hit with a bolt of lightning. That tiny packet? Smelling salts — a game-day ritual that’s both legendary and controversial in the NFL.

Smelling salts, known in the medical world as ammonia inhalants, have been around for centuries. In the NFL, they were never officially endorsed, yet players swore by the sharp jolt of alertness they delivered. But in 2025, the NFL said “no more,” banning them altogether after warnings from health experts and the FDA.

To understand why smelling salts became part of football lore — and why they’re now history — we need to break down the science, the culture, and the risks.

The Science Behind Smelling Salts and How They Work

Smelling salts are made of ammonium carbonate, a white, crystalline substance that releases ammonia gas when combined with moisture. This isn’t some exotic sports chemical — it’s a compound that’s been used in medicine for hundreds of years to wake people up from fainting spells.

When you inhale ammonia gas, it irritates the lining of your nose and lungs. This irritation triggers your body’s involuntary reflexes — increasing your breathing rate, speeding up your heart, and boosting blood flow to your brain. In medical settings, this sudden shock can snap someone back into consciousness.

In sports, the same jolt doesn’t treat fainting — instead, it tricks the nervous system into a heightened state of alertness. Imagine splashing ice-cold water on your face before a big speech, but more intense and almost instant.

Think of it like a fire alarm going off in your brain. You’re instantly on edge, your senses sharpen, and adrenaline starts pumping. That’s why, even without proven performance benefits, many athletes felt “ready to hit” right after taking a whiff.

Why NFL Players Used Smelling Salts for Energy and Alertness

For decades, smelling salts became an unspoken part of the NFL’s sideline culture. They weren’t hidden — TV cameras caught plenty of players breaking capsules under their noses before big plays.

Players claimed the salts gave them:

• A mental edge in moments of high pressure.
• A ritual that marked the shift from warm-up mode to full combat readiness.
• A placebo-like confidence boost that “locked them in” mentally.

In reality, the performance benefits were more psychological than physical. Studies show no measurable boost in strength or speed from ammonia inhalants during short bursts of activity. But the feeling of being sharper — even if it’s just perception — can matter in a high-stakes game.

Many athletes compared it to their lucky socks, a pregame playlist, or a secret handshake with a teammate. The ritual itself became part of the mental preparation, and breaking that routine could feel like breaking the rhythm of the game.

Risks, Side Effects, and Why the NFL Banned Smelling Salts

In 2025, the NFL officially banned smelling salts for safety reasons. The move followed a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that ammonia inhalants aren’t proven safe for increasing energy or alertness — and could be harmful with repeated use.

Key risks include:

• Masking concussion symptoms: Smelling salts can make a player feel more alert, hiding the signs of head trauma like dizziness or confusion. This could lead to dangerous “play-through” situations.
• Physical side effects: Shortness of breath, headaches, migraines, and in rare cases, seizures.
• Neck and head strain: The sudden reflexive jerk when inhaling ammonia can worsen existing injuries.

The NFL noted that in a sport where concussions are a major concern — with an estimated one concussion every two games — allowing a substance that hides symptoms was a step in the wrong direction. Other leagues, including Australia’s National Rugby League and the International Boxing Federation, have already imposed similar bans.

From Medical Use to Locker Room Tradition: The Long History of Smelling Salts

The story of smelling salts starts far from the football field. In the 17th century, they were known as the “salt of hartshorn,” made from the horns of male deer. They were part of the home medicine kit, used to revive fainting people — a common sight in Victorian dramas.

Over time, their use expanded to hospitals, sports, and even airplanes. The Federal Aviation Administration still requires them on U.S. flights as a precaution for fainting passengers.

By the late 20th century, smelling salts had made their way into professional sports. Boxers, weightlifters, and hockey players used them for a mental boost before competitions. The NFL’s adoption was part medical (reviving a winded or woozy player) and part cultural — an edge in a game where every fraction of a second matters.

But as sports medicine evolved, so did awareness of the dangers. Today, smelling salts remain legal to purchase over the counter, but their days in the NFL are officially over.

Conclusion

Smelling salts in the NFL were never about magic — they were about mindset. The quick hit of ammonia didn’t make players faster, stronger, or more skilled, but it made them feel ready to give everything on the next snap. That feeling became a ritual, a small but powerful part of football’s sideline culture.

The NFL’s ban is a sign of changing priorities. In a league increasingly focused on player safety, eliminating substances that could hide injury symptoms is part of the broader battle against concussion-related risks.

Whether the ban will change game-day energy remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: the crack of a capsule and that unmistakable wince after a whiff — a tiny drama within the bigger drama of football — has been retired from the NFL playbook.

FAQs

1. What does smelling salts do for NFL players?

Smelling salts release ammonia gas, which triggers a sharp, involuntary inhalation. This increases breathing rate, heart rate, and blood flow to the brain, creating a sudden feeling of alertness.

2. Why did the NFL ban smelling salts?

The NFL banned smelling salts in 2025 after safety concerns from the FDA. Risks include masking concussion symptoms and potential side effects like headaches, breathing issues, and neck strain.

3. Are smelling salts dangerous?

When used occasionally in a medical setting, smelling salts are generally safe. However, frequent or improper use can lead to breathing problems, migraines, and worsened injuries.

4. Can smelling salts actually improve sports performance?

Research shows no direct improvement in strength, speed, or stamina. The main effect is psychological — making athletes feel more alert and ready.

5. Do other sports still allow smelling salts?

Some sports still allow them, but many — including boxing and rugby — have banned smelling salts for safety reasons.

6. Can you buy smelling salts legally?

Yes. Smelling salts are sold over the counter in most countries and are still used in medical and emergency situations.