Athletes are always looking for an edge that will improve performance.
Often these efforts are ill-advised and at times harmful. One practice that has become popular among high-level athletes is the use of smelling salts to increase alertness.
Smelling salts consist of spirits of ammonia. The use of smelling salts dates back to the Roman Empire, but they became popular during the Victorian era. They were used to help revive women who were fainting.
Syncope or fainting is a loss of consciousness as a result of a slowed heart rate triggered by a vagal reflex. This reflex is often initiated by dehydration, anxiety or pain. Ammonia salts directly irritate the nasal mucosa and elicit a noxious reflex. This causes the heart to beat faster and hopefully counteract the vagal response.
Approximately 50 years ago, they became popular in sports to supposedly counteract the effects of head trauma. Smelling salts became popular in boxing where their use eventually was banned.
Trauma patients often suffer neck injuries that may be undetected. The first response to the noxious smell is to suddenly jerk the head away from the stimulus. This can result in dislocating an injured spine and potential paralysis.
More recently, athletes have begun to use smelling salts with the belief that their use will keep them more alert.
The use of smelling salts is particularly popular among football and hockey players who believe this reflex will counteract the effects of concussion.
Recent estimates report 80 percent of NFL players using smelling salts, according to a recent article in ESPN The Magazine.
It is only natural that athletes at lower levels will follow this practice.
Smelling salts should only be used in limited situations under the guidance of a health professional.
Coaches, parents and athletic trainers are crucial to ending the inappropriate use of smelling salts in young athletes.
As a seasoned expert in sports science and performance enhancement, my extensive knowledge on the subject is rooted in both academic understanding and practical experience. Over the years, I have closely followed the trends and advancements in sports performance, delving into various aspects that influence athletes' abilities and well-being. My expertise spans from physiological responses to different stimuli to the historical evolution of practices aimed at improving athletic performance.
Now, let's delve into the article about the use of smelling salts among athletes, drawing upon my comprehensive understanding of the relevant concepts:
-
Smelling Salts Composition and Historical Context:
- Smelling salts, as mentioned in the article, primarily consist of spirits of ammonia. This composition has been a key aspect of their usage and effectiveness.
- The historical context provided, linking the use of smelling salts back to the Roman Empire and their popularity during the Victorian era, emphasizes the longstanding tradition of their application.
-
Syncope and Vagal Reflex:
- Syncope, or fainting, is described as a loss of consciousness resulting from a slowed heart rate triggered by a vagal reflex.
- The vagal reflex can be initiated by factors such as dehydration, anxiety, or pain, showcasing the physiological basis for fainting.
-
Mechanism of Smelling Salts:
- Ammonia salts in smelling salts directly irritate the nasal mucosa, leading to a noxious reflex.
- This reflex causes the heart to beat faster, with the hope of counteracting the vagal response and reviving consciousness.
-
Historical Use in Boxing and Trauma Concerns:
- The historical application of smelling salts in boxing and their subsequent ban highlights their role in sports, particularly to counteract the effects of head trauma.
- Concerns are raised about trauma patients, particularly those with neck injuries, as the immediate response to the noxious smell may lead to unintended consequences such as dislocating an injured spine and potential paralysis.
-
Modern Usage in Sports, Especially Football and Hockey:
- The article mentions the recent prevalence of smelling salts among athletes, particularly in football and hockey, where players believe the reflex induced by smelling salts can counteract the effects of concussion.
- A striking statistic is provided, indicating that approximately 80 percent of NFL players use smelling salts.
-
Caution and Need for Professional Guidance:
- The article underscores the importance of limited use of smelling salts and the necessity for guidance from health professionals.
- Coaches, parents, and athletic trainers are identified as crucial figures in preventing the inappropriate use of smelling salts, especially among young athletes.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of sports science enables me to dissect the nuances of the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, physiological mechanisms, and potential risks associated with the use of smelling salts in the realm of athletic performance.
FAQs
The effects of long- or short-term use of smelling salts are unknown. However, a person should avoid overusing smelling salts or holding the smelling salt too close to the nose. Concentrated exposure can damage the upper airways and lungs and cause allergic reactions.
Are smelling salts illegal for athletes? ›
Most high school and professional athletic associations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency and National Collegiate Athletic Association allow the use of smelling salts. However, smelling salts are banned in boxing.
Why did we stop using smelling salts? ›
Smelling salts became popular in boxing where their use eventually was banned. Trauma patients often suffer neck injuries that may be undetected. The first response to the noxious smell is to suddenly jerk the head away from the stimulus. This can result in dislocating an injured spine and potential paralysis.
Is smelling salts good for sports? ›
Sniffing smelling salts can increase a person's blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels, helping brain activity and reactivating the sympathetic nervous system. Many trainers feel that smelling salts provide a burst of energy and help improve focus.
Do smelling salts cause long term damage? ›
At the end of the day, ammonia is a toxic substance. It's diluted in smelling salts, but using them too frequently or holding them too close to your nose can put you at risk for severe irritation of the nose and lungs or, in very rare cases, asphyxiation and death.
What is a good alternative to smelling salts? ›
Thanks for asking, here are a few!
- Amorphophallus titanum.
- Stapelia gigantea.
- Rafflesia ArnoldII.
- PawPaw.
- stapelia.
- Mexican Calabash or Jicaro.
- birthwort.
- western skunk cabbage.
Smelling salts are often used on athletes (particularly boxers) who have been dazed or knocked unconscious to restore consciousness and mental alertness. Smelling salts are now banned in most boxing competitions.
Do NHL players still use smelling salts? ›
Smelling Salts for Athletes
Once popular in the sport of boxing to revive fighters dazed or knocked unconscious, they've since been banned by many competitions. Today, smelling salts are still widely used in the NHL, the NFL, and powerlifting and strongman competitions.
Why is DHEA banned in sports? ›
It is generally accepted in the sporting world that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) use enhances physical performance, and DHEA therefore figures on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances in sports, both in and out of competition.
Are smelling salts illegal in the NFL? ›
Smelling salts are routinely carried by first-aid personnel on the sidelines and even by players like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, star quarterbacks who have used them as a pre-game or mid-game pick-me-up. They are not banned in football, though they are in some boxing events.
Cvs Pharmacy Smelling Salts (10 ct) | Delivery Near You | Uber Eats.
What are hockey players sniffing on the bench? ›
Whiff 'n poof: NHLers still swear by smelling salts. A vile vial of pungent chemicals, smelling salts are a pregame ritual for NHL players and coaches.
Are smelling salts legal? ›
Smelling salts are ammonia inhalants. You can buy them over the counter to treat and prevent fainting. However, the FDA has not approved their use as a stimulant.
Why do NFL players use smelling salts? ›
The NFL player who sniffs the smelling salts begins to breathe faster and they feel more alert. NFL players do not always use smelling salts for what they are intended to be used for. A lot of NFL players use smelling salts to help them become more alert.
How healthy are smelling salts? ›
When inhaled, the chemicals in smelling salts cause nose and throat irritation as well as temporary increases in heart rate. While smelling salts are generally safe when used as directed, prolonged inhalation may result in permanent lung damage or death.
Is ammonia bad for you? ›
Ammonia is not hazardous to health at concentrations typically found in the environment. At higher concentrations ammonia can be harmful. The most common health effect is irritation to the eyes, nose or throat. If swallowed, ammonia will cause pain and burning in the throat and stomach.
What should you do if you inhale ammonia? ›
There is no antidote for ammonia poisoning. First aid consists of decontamination, maintaining open airway, and respiration support followed by rapid transport to an advanced medical care facility. After decontamination no special protective clothing is required for those caring for the injured.
How long do smelling salts last after use? ›
HOW LONG DO SMELLING SALTS LAST? Around 3-6 months based on the frequency of use, however some people have continued to use their bottle for over a year.
Is it bad to smell ammonia after exercise? ›
Not enough Protein
When you smell ammonia at the end of a workout, your body lets you know that it is using protein as the primary energy source. This means that your muscles are being broken down, metabolized, and used as energy sources. This is not what we want.
