Smelling salts give NFL players a fast, sharp jolt of alertness by irritating the nose and lungs and briefly revving up the nervous system, but they don’t give “real” strength and carry safety concerns.

What Do Smelling Salts Do for NFL Players?

The Basics: What They Are

  • Smelling salts are usually made from ammonium carbonate or other ammonia-based compounds in a capsule or bottle.
  • When cracked or opened, they release a strong ammonia gas that hits the nose and upper airways.
  • They’ve been used for decades in sports and even in military and first‑aid settings to “wake up” or stimulate people who feel faint or sluggish.

Think of it like a sudden blast of cold air to the face – not magic, just a harsh stimulus that shocks you into focus.

What They Do to the Body

  • The ammonia gas irritates the lining of the nose and lungs, triggering a reflex that makes you inhale faster and deeper.
  • That rapid breathing and irritation briefly activates the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight or flight” response), making you feel more awake and keyed up.
  • Players describe it as:
    • “Wakes you up, opens your eyes” when you’re tired on the bench.
* A way to “jolt” the nervous system before a drive, especially late in a long season.

Why NFL Players Use Them

  • Pre‑snap boost: Many players hit smelling salts right before a series to feel sharper, more aggressive, and less sluggish.
  • Routine and ritual: Some veterans say they’ve used them every drive for years and feel “off” without that pre‑drive hit.
  • Long season fatigue: When your body is beat up and the adrenaline of Week 1 is gone, some guys lean on salts as a quick mental and physical wake‑up.

Small caveat

  • The performance effect is mostly about perception and arousal, not a big increase in strength, speed, or endurance. It’s more mental edge than true physical enhancement.

Safety Concerns and Recent Rule Changes

  • Ammonia can irritate the mouth, nose, and airway and, at higher exposures, can be toxic.
  • Medical experts argue that routine use in sports is unnecessary and potentially risky, especially if players lean on it as a crutch.
  • In 2024, the U.S. FDA warned that ammonia inhalants could mask neurologic signs , including some concussion indicators, by temporarily “waking up” someone who should be evaluated.
  • In 2025, the NFL’s head, neck, and spine committee recommended stopping team‑provided smelling salts for this reason, and the league banned clubs from supplying them on game day.
  • Players, however, are still allowed to bring and use their own smelling salts, which is why you still see them on the sidelines.

Mini FAQ and Forum‑Style Take

Do they help after a big hit?

  • Using smelling salts on someone who just took a shot to the head is controversial because it can briefly “wake them up” and hide signs that might point to a concussion.
  • That masking risk is a core reason the NFL restricted team access in 2025.

Are they banned now?

  • Teams and staff cannot provide ammonia or smelling salts during games, including pregame and halftime.
  • Players can still use them if they bring their own, which created a lot of confusion and debate in 2025, especially after high‑profile players complained publicly.

Why is this a trending topic?

  • The 2025 memo banning team‑provided smelling salts sparked talk shows, podcasts, and player interviews, with some veterans joking they “need them every drive” and even half‑joking about retirement without them.
  • Fans on forums and social media have been debating whether smelling salts are harmless hype, a dangerous habit, or just another weird part of NFL sideline culture.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.