Why do nfl players use smelling salts

Overview

Smelling salts, small capsules containing ammonium carbonate, have been used by NFL players for decades to quickly regain alertness after hard hits or during critical game moments. The practice traces back to Victorian-era medicine where ammonia inhalants were used to revive unconscious patients, before being adopted by boxing and football in the early 20th century. In the NFL specifically, documented use dates to at least the 1970s, with players keeping the capsules in their socks or equipment for immediate access. The NFL has maintained a cautious stance - while not banning the substances outright, the league's concussion protocol guidelines since 2011 explicitly warn against using smelling salts on potentially concussed players as they can mask symptoms. Current estimates suggest hundreds of players across the league use them regularly, despite growing medical concerns about their safety implications.

How It Works

When an NFL player breaks a smelling salt capsule, typically by crushing it between their fingers, the ammonium carbonate inside reacts with moisture to release ammonia gas. This pungent gas triggers the trigeminal nerve in the nasal passages, causing an immediate, involuntary inhalation reflex that brings the player's head back sharply. This reflex action serves multiple physiological purposes: it increases breathing rate, elevates heart rate by approximately 10-20 beats per minute, and boosts blood flow to the brain. The sudden stimulation also causes adrenaline release, providing a temporary surge of alertness that can help players shake off disorientation from impacts. However, this effect lasts only 30-60 seconds and doesn't actually treat any underlying brain injury - it merely overrides the body's natural protective responses to trauma.

Why It Matters

The widespread use of smelling salts in the NFL matters because it represents a significant player safety concern in a league grappling with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and concussion management. Medical experts from organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Neurology warn that by masking symptoms like dizziness and confusion, smelling salts allow players to return to play while potentially concussed, increasing risk of second-impact syndrome. This practice conflicts with the NFL's stated commitment to player safety, particularly since the 2011 collective bargaining agreement that implemented stricter concussion protocols. The continued use also reflects cultural norms in contact sports where playing through injury is valued, despite growing understanding of brain trauma risks. As research on CTE advances, the medical community increasingly views smelling salt use as counterproductive to proper head injury management.