The NFL announced a new ban for the upcoming 2025 season. In a memo released Tuesday, Aug. 5, the league said “all club personnel” — including players, coaches, and staff members —‚ will no longer be allowed to use smelling salts during games.
The move was first announced by San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who made an impromptu appearance on “Inside Training Camp Live” to “air a grievance” about the new ban.
“I’ve been distraught all day,” Kittle joked, admitting that he uses smelling salts on “every drive.”
“I considered retirement,” he added.
Kittle’s teammate, linebacker Fred Warner, chimed in, asking the NFL commissioner to reconsider and “bring them back for George Kittle.”
Kittle is just one of many NFL players and athletes in other sports who use smelling salts, also known as ammonia inhalants (AIs), to help clear their head and get them amped up during games, since they’re known to trigger the body’s fight-or-flight reflex.
What are smelling salts?
Smelling salts have been around for centuries and have been used medically to help revive people who’ve fainted.
“Smelling salts are generally safe when used as directed,” according to WebMD. “But it’s possible to overuse them, and they sometimes cause side effects.”
In the U.S., smelling salts are only approved by the FDA to prevent or treat fainting. The ammonia fumes do so by irritating the inside of the nose, triggering a reflex to breath deeply and clear the nasal passage, even if a person has passed out.
They come in multiple forms, including capsules, inhalers and liquid.
Why is the NFL banning them?
In its memo, the NFL said smelling salts are not proven to be safe and can mask the signs of concussion.
The league cited a 2024 FDA report warning consumers not to use the products due to “the lack of evidence supporting the safety of efficacy of AIs marked for improving mental alertness or boosting energy.” It also said use of AIs has been linked to adverse effects like seizures.
The NFL also said it enacted the ban at the recommendation of its Head, Neck and Spine Committee.
“AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion,” the committee said.
The memo is not a total ban on using smelling salts; it only applies to game days. According to The Washington Post, a total would have to be negotiated with the NFL Players Association.
Are they banned in any other sport?
The use of smelling salts or AIs is also banned in boxing because of their ability to mask neurological symptoms.
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Author: Ally Heath
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