What are smelling salts?
Smelling salts are chemical compounds that are used to arouse consciousness. The main active ingredient in smelling salts is ammonium carbonate, a pungent-smelling salt. When the salts are inhaled, they stimulate the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs, which reflexively stimulate breathing and bring about a rapid reversal of unconsciousness. Other names for smelling salts include carbonate of ammonia, sal volatile, and spirit of hartshorn.
Smelling salts have been used medically for over 200 years to revive people who have fainted or suffered a medical emergency. The sharp aroma of the salts stimulates the vagus nerve and triggers an inhalation reflex. This rapid inhalation of air helps restore blood pressure to the brain and brings the person back to consciousness quickly.
Some key facts about smelling salts:
– Main ingredient is ammonium carbonate, a pungent chemical salt
– Stimulates mucous membranes when inhaled
– Causes a reflexive deep inhalation of air
– Used to revive consciousness after fainting or medical emergencies
– Alternative names include sal volatile and spirit of hartshorn
– Have been used medically for over 200 years
Medical uses
Smelling salts have some important medical applications:
– Reviving people who have fainted by stimulating breathing
– Arousing a person after a seizure or concussion
– Bringing around someone who is shocked or delirious
– Treating lightheadedness or dizziness to avoid fainting
– Used in sports medicine if an athlete seems disoriented after a head injury
– Sometimes used in childbirth to help revive a mother who feels faint
The strong sensory stimulation can quickly bring around someone whose consciousness is impaired. The salts are occasionally used by medical staff in clinics, hospitals, ambulances, or emergency situations. However, they are a temporary measure only, and further treatment may still be needed.
Use in sports
Smelling salts are widely used in many sports including:
– Boxing – to arouse a groggy boxer after a knockdown
– Football and ice hockey – to revitalize an injured athlete or one who had their “bell rung”
– Powerlifting and weightlifting – some lifters use salts before big lifts to heighten focus
– Baseball – players use salts to get a boost of energy and mental alertness
– Swimming – salts are placed near swimming pools to arouse faint swimmers
– Track and field – runners may use salts before a race or jump for increased stimulation
The strong sensory jolt provided by smelling salts is believed to provide athletes with a temporary energy and focus boost. However, there is little scientific evidence that they provide any extra physical edge. Their benefit is more likely psychological.
Are smelling salts legal to buy?
In most countries, smelling salts can be purchased legally without any restrictions. This includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Since they have legitimate medical uses, they are legal to buy over-the-counter.
Some key points on the legality of smelling salts:
– No prescription required in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, etc
– Legal to purchase over-the-counter without age restrictions
– Often sold in small tins or capsules in pharmacies and health shops
– Available from sports medicine suppliers and online retailers
– Not regulated or controlled as a prescription drug or substance
– Considered a medical device rather than a restricted drug
While uncontrolled access to any chemical substance raises concerns about abuse, there are no laws prohibiting access to smelling salts. Their legitimate medical value means they are exempt from regulation or scheduling.
Are there any age restrictions?
There are typically no legal age restrictions on purchasing smelling salts. They are sold over-the-counter, so customers of any age can buy them.
However, some sports leagues or athletic associations may prohibit their use by younger athletes due to health and safety concerns. And some retailers may have store policies not to sell them to those under 16 or 18 years old. But there are no laws dictating minimum age requirements.
Parents and coaches should exercise discretion with smelling salts and younger athletes. Their use should be limited to emergencies where impaired consciousness requires rapid revival. Casual routine use is not recommended for youth sports due to unknown long-term effects on a developing brain and respiratory system. Proper medical advice should be sought before use.
Are they regulated or controlled substances?
No, smelling salts are not classified as regulated or controlled substances in the US, Canada, UK or other countries where they are legal to buy. This means:
– They are not scheduled under laws like the US Controlled Substances Act
– No prescription is required to obtain them
– Possession and use is not restricted by law
– No tracking or reporting requirements for purchases
– Can be imported/exported freely without permits
The main compound ammonium carbonate is recognized to have legitimate medical applications for reviving consciousness. Therefore, smelling salts containing it are exempt from regulation or scheduling. While misuse can be hazardous, legal access remains uncontrolled given their niche health benefits.
Potential dangers of misusing smelling salts
While smelling salts have medical benefits, misuse carries some health risks:
Respiratory risks
– Irritation or burning of nasal passages, throat, and lungs
– Coughing, choking, or breathing difficulty
– Hyperventilation
– Increased mucus production
– Aggravating asthma or chronic lung conditions
Frequent misuse could potentially lead to long-term lung damage. Concentrated vapors can irritate and inflame respiratory tissues.
Brain blood vessel risks
– Rapid blood pressure increase
– Arterial constriction
– Rebound blood pressure drop after use
– Increased stroke risk if used alongside stimulants like cocaine
The blood pressure-elevating effects can stress brain blood vessels. Those with aneurysms or weakened arteries may be at heightened stroke risk from smelling salts’ effects on circulation.
Mental health risks
– Heightened agitation, anxiety, confusion
– Panic attacks
– Paranoia, hallucinations
– Manic or psychotic episodes in those with mental illness
The intense sensory jolt can adversely impact those with existing mental health conditions. Salts may also trigger latent psychological issues.
Addiction and withdrawal
– Psychological addiction from habitual use
– Building up tolerance over time, needing more to get the same effect
– Withdrawal symptoms like lethargy and disorientation if use is stopped
Frequent use can lead to physical and mental dependence. Quitting after heavy use requires gradually tapering off to avoid intense withdrawal effects.
| Potential Health Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Respiratory risks | Irritation and inflammation of nasal passages, throat, lungs. Increased mucus production, coughing/choking, asthma aggravation. |
| Brain blood vessel risks | Sudden blood pressure changes, arterial constriction, increased stroke risk especially if used with stimulants like cocaine. |
| Mental health risks | Heightened anxiety/agitation, panic attacks, psychotic episodes in those with mental illness. |
| Addiction and withdrawal | Psychological addiction from habitual use, building tolerance over time, withdrawal symptoms if use abruptly stopped. |
Are there restrictions on using smelling salts in sports?
Some sports governing bodies have implemented restrictions or regulations on smelling salt use:
– NFL – Smelling salts banned since 2014 to protect players’ health.
– NCAA – College football players prohibited from using salts since 2004.
– MLB – Salts banned in baseball since 2016.
– NBA – Basketball league warns teams and players against using salts.
– Olympics – Salts banned in competition under IOC anti-doping rules.
– High school sports – Many associations ban salt use by teen athletes.
The restrictions aim to protect young athletes from the health risks of overuse. Pro leagues also want to avoid any performance-enhancing perceptions around salts.
However, smelling salt use remains legal and widespread in many other pro sports like boxing, hockey, weightlifting, powerlifting, wrestling, and swimming outside of direct competition. There are no universal bans across elite sports.
NFL ban
The National Football League implemented a ban on smelling salts in 2014 to protect players from overuse:
– NFL doctors expressed concern about respiratory risks.
– Brain health fears due to blood pressure-elevating effects.
– No solid medical evidence salts provide performance benefits.
– Salts glamorized their use through extensive media visibility.
– Ban prevents setting a bad example for youth, high school, and college players.
The NFL ban helps curb potential abuse and the perception that salts provide a competitive edge. However, they remain legal to purchase.
NCAA ban
The National Collegiate Athletic Association banned smelling salts in 2004 for similar health reasons:
– No proven performance benefits to justify health risks.
– Prevented potential overuse and abuse by college athletes.
– Consistent with the NCAA’s mission to protect student-athlete wellbeing.
– Set a good example for high school and youth sports.
– Supported wider medical recommendations about smelling salt misuse.
College football trainers had ready access to salts for player use before the NCAA ban. This raised worries about overuse and safety.
Olympic ban
Smelling salts are prohibited in Olympic competition under IOC anti-doping rules. They are considered a banned stimulant.
– Salts could artificially boost athlete performance.
– Goes against the Olympic spirit of fair competition.
– Upholds ethics of pure athletic competition without artificial aids.
– Prevents any enhanced stimulation during competition.
However, salts are permitted in training if needed for medical revival purposes. But Olympians face disqualification if used right before or during an event.
Are there any restrictions on retail sales?
There are currently no legal restrictions on smelling salts purchases or sales in most countries. Anyone can freely buy them from:
– Pharmacies
– Health shops
– Sports medicine suppliers
– Online retailers
– Convenience stores
– Groceries
– Discount stores
Salts are often displayed alongside other analgesics, supplements, and muscle creams. Retailers generally treat them as an over-the-counter healthcare product.
Some retailers may choose not to sell salts due to company policy or concerns about misuse. But there are no laws or regulations restricting retail availability or access.
However, buyers may need to prove they are 18+ years old even though there are no legal age limits. And some stores keep salts behind the pharmacy counter. These are just policies, not legal requirements. Overall access remains unfettered in most regions.
Online sales
Buying smelling salts online is convenient and often cheaper than retail stores. Salts can be purchased easily on sites like:
– Amazon
– Walmart.com
– eBay
– Sports medicine online stores
– Direct from supplement companies
Again, there are no age verification requirements for delivery from legally operating websites. Restricting sales is up to individual site policies only.
International sales also face no restrictions. Salts can be shipped worldwide from ecommerce sites except where prohibited by the destination country’s own import laws.
Manufacturer restrictions
The main restriction facing smelling salt producers is compliance with manufacturing safety standards. For example:
– Using proper safety gear and chemical handling procedures.
– Ensuring production facilities meet hazard containment codes.
– Appropriately labeling final products with ingredient and first aid information.
– Testing finished products to verify ingredient concentrations and purity.
Reputable companies adhere to regional good manufacturing practice regulations. But no special permits or licenses are needed to legally manufacture salts for consumer and commercial markets in most global jurisdictions.
Conclusion
In summary, smelling salts remain widely accessible and legal to buy in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and many other countries. While banned in some sports contexts, they are not controlled substances and face no prescription requirements or retail restrictions. However, misuse carries health risks, so personal responsibility and medical oversight is advised. When used safely and appropriately, smelling salts offer niche benefits for rapidly reviving consciousness in medical emergencies.