The NFL's decision to ban the use of smelling salts and ammonia packets hit George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers hard. The tight end broke the news on NFL Network on Tuesday saying that he was "distraught" he would be no longer allowed to use them on "every drive" during the season.
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Why the league is banning smelling salts comes down to player safety, as the NFL says the products are not safe and are used to mask concussions.
What are smelling salts and what are they used for?
Smelling salts can come in the form of bottled powders or packets that feature ammonia and other chemicals. It is a very strong smell and they are mostly used to treat fainting victims. But athletes have used them for years as a way to become more alert before or during a game in order to boost performance.
Once the ammonia fumes are breathed in, it triggers a reaction that sends a jolt of adrenaline throughout the body, while also clearing out nasal passages.
“Ammonia is an irritant,” family medicine physician Elizabeth Rainbolt, MD, told the Cleveland Clinic website. “It irritates your airways and your lungs. When you breathe it in, you reflexively take a really big breath. It doesn’t cause a ‘high’ per se, but the rush of oxygen triggers your sympathetic nervous system to take over and can make you feel amped up in a way.”
Why is the NFL banning smelling salts?
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo shared the memo that got Kittle so worked up.
Citing a 2024 memo from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the NFL explained its reasoning for banning ammonia inhalants (AIs), an umbrella term that includes smelling salts.
“In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy.
"The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion. As a result, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during play in the NFL.”
The memo clarified that the AI category encompasses “any form of ‘smelling salts’” and prohibits any member of a team from administering or providing AIs to players at any point during a game.
The FDA memo referenced by the NFL detailed reported adverse effects of using unapproved AIs that include "shortness of breath, seizures, migraines, vomiting, diarrhea, and fainting from consumers after using these types of products, possibly purchased through various websites."
Are they used in other sports?
Yes, many athletes across the sports world use them before and during games. Sometimes coaches get involved, too.
Have any other sports organizations banned smelling salts?
Yes. Hockey Quebec, a branch of Hockey Canada that oversees amateur hockey in the province, banned smelling salts in February, citing concern about their use by youth players.
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