Why do hockey players use smelling salts

Overview

Smelling salts, chemically known as ammonium carbonate or ammonium hydroxide solutions, have been used in hockey since at least the 1970s as a quick stimulant to revive players after head impacts or periods of fatigue. The practice has historical roots dating back to ancient Rome, where physicians like Galen documented using ammonia compounds to revive fainting patients. In hockey's modern era, smelling salts gained popularity during the 1970s and 1980s as the game became more physical and faster-paced. Today, they're commonly found in NHL training rooms and on benches, with trainers keeping small capsules or packets ready for immediate use. The typical hockey smelling salt packet contains a mixture of ammonium carbonate and water, which releases ammonia gas when crushed. While their use is most visible in professional hockey, the practice has trickled down to amateur and youth levels, though with increasing controversy about safety implications.

How It Works

Smelling salts function through a two-stage physiological response when the ammonia gas reaches nasal membranes. First, the sharp odor triggers the inhalation reflex, causing the user to take a deep, involuntary breath that increases oxygen intake by approximately 15-20%. Second, the ammonia irritates trigeminal nerve endings in the nasal passages, which sends signals to the brainstem that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This causes an immediate release of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline, increasing heart rate by 10-20 beats per minute and temporarily boosting alertness. The entire process takes just 2-3 seconds from inhalation to effect. The ammonia concentration in typical hockey smelling salts ranges from 15-30%, strong enough to produce the desired effect but diluted to minimize tissue damage. The effect typically lasts 30-60 seconds, providing a brief window of heightened awareness that players use to shake off dizziness or fatigue.

Why It Matters

The widespread use of smelling salts in hockey matters because it highlights the sport's complex relationship with player safety and performance enhancement. While smelling salts provide temporary alertness that can help players return to play quickly, medical experts warn they may mask concussion symptoms, potentially leading to more serious head injuries. The NHL has faced criticism for allowing their use while implementing concussion protocols, creating a contradictory approach to brain safety. From a performance perspective, smelling salts represent one of the few legal stimulants available during games, giving players a competitive edge in a sport where split-second reactions matter. Their continued popularity despite safety concerns reflects hockey's cultural acceptance of playing through pain and the high stakes of professional sports. The debate over smelling salts intersects with larger conversations about sports medicine ethics, player autonomy, and how leagues balance immediate performance needs with long-term health considerations.