Are Smelling Salts Dangerous? Risks, Safety & Myths | Fitness Fox

Smelling salts (ammonia inhalants) can irritate the nose, throat, lungs and eyes, and may cause chemical burns at close range or with repeated misuse. They don’t “fix” concussion or fainting, and any alertness boost is short-lived. If you choose to use them, keep the container about 10–15 cm (4–6 in) from your nose, waft briefly, and avoid frequent or deep inhalations. People with asthma/respiratory disease, eye problems, or recent head/neck injury should avoid them. 

Fast links for shoppers (internal):
• Smelling Salts (Collection) → https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/collections/smelling-salts
• Smelling Salt — Lemon Flavour → https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/products/smelling-salt-lemon-flavou

What smelling salts are—and how they work

Smelling salts release a small amount of ammonia gas (NH₃). When you waft that vapour near your nose, it irritates the upper airways, triggering a reflex inhalation and a brief sympathetic “wake-up” jolt. They can raise alertness for a moment, but they’re not a real performance enhancer and they’re not a medical treatment. 

Are smelling salts dangerous?

Short exposures, used sparingly and at a distance, are generally tolerated for healthy adults. But ammonia is a corrosive irritant: high doses or misuse can injure tissues, and even lower exposures are uncomfortable for many people. Reputable clinical and toxicology sources describe the following risks: airway irritation and bronchospasm, eye watering/burns, skin/mucosal irritation, and—at sufficiently high exposures—lung damage. 

Risk matrix (fast scan)

Bottom line: “Safe” use is brief, distant, and infrequent—and still not appropriate for everyone. 

Myths vs facts

Who should not use smelling salts

• Anyone with asthma, COPD, or reactive airway disease. 

• Anyone with head/neck injury or suspected concussion—don’t use salts to “check if you’re ok.” 

• People with eye disease or recent eye/face surgery (vapour exposure risk).

• Children/adolescents without clinical guidance. (General poison-safety rules apply.) 

Safe-use checklist (if you still choose to use them)

This isn’t medical advice—just safety basics drawn from toxicology and clinical guidance.

1. Read and follow the label. Activation and handling differ by brand; some require adding water once, others are ready to use.

2. Distance matters. Open the bottle away from your face, then waft vapour from ~10–15 cm (4–6 in). Never place under the nostrils or directly on skin. 

3. Duration & frequency. One brief whiff only; don’t inhale deeply or repeatedly set after set.

4. If exposed at close range (eyes/skin): move to fresh air, rinse with water copiously; seek care if irritation persists or breathing is difficult.

5. Storage & access. Keep sealed, upright, room temp; away from kids/pets.

Rules & headlines (so you don’t get caught out)

In August 2025, the NFL changed its game-day policy: teams cannot supply smelling salts during games, though players may use their own if they choose. The league cited medical concerns—including the potential to mask neurological symptoms—in response to an FDA warning; the NFLPA issued a clarification for players. Policies in other leagues/federations vary. Always check your rulebook. 

Do they help performance?

There’s no robust evidence that ammonia inhalants improve race times, strength outputs, or endurance in a consistent way. You might feel more alert in the moment, but that’s different from measurable, repeatable performance change—and the trade-offs (irritation, dependency habit) aren’t worth it for most people. 

Smarter alternatives for a pre-lift “switch on”

• Caffeine (within your personal tolerance and sport rules).

• Breath priming (2–3 fast nasal inhales + forceful exhale).

• Music/psych-up ritual (consistent cues beat chemical spikes).

• Good warm-up (ramp HR, prep the movement pattern).

Fitness Fox picks (and how to link them internally)

Use these links 2–3 times: near the Quick answer, after the safe-use checklist, and in the final CTA. This spacing helps both readers and AI Overviews.

• Smelling Salts (Collection) — compare flavours, see shipping/returns → https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/collections/smelling-salts

• Smelling Salt — Lemon Flavour — classic sharp profile → https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/products/smelling-salt-lemon-flavour

• Gym Smelling Salts — Mint Flavour — cooler, refreshing profile → https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/products/fitness-fox-gym-smelling-salts-for-athletes-fitness-enthusiasts
  
  

CRO notes to add next to links: Free NZ shipping $50+, Express $7, 30-day returns, Afterpay/Zip at checkout (confirm on PDP at publish). (Use your live PDP info for price/stock.)

Product capsules

Smelling Salt — Lemon Flavour
Designed for a one-whiff pre-lift arousal cue. Open away from your face, waft from ~10–15 cm, then close promptly. Use sparingly (max attempts, not every set). NZ-fast shipping; 30-day returns. → https://www.fitnessfox.co.nz/products/smelling-salt-lemon-flavour

FAQs

Are smelling salts dangerous?

• They can be if misused: ammonia can irritate or burn the nose/eyes/airways, and high or prolonged exposure risks lung injury. Use briefly, at ~10–15 cm, or skip entirely if you have respiratory disease. 

Do smelling salts help you lift more?

• Not reliably. They may boost alertness, but consistent, meaningful performance gains aren’t well supported by evidence. 

Are smelling salts allowed in competition?

• Depends. Example: in Aug 2025 the NFL barred team-provided salts on game day, though players can bring their own. Check your federation or league rules. 

Who should avoid them?

• People with asthma/COPD, eye problems/surgery, or anyone with recent head/neck injury. Kids should not use them without medical guidance. 

What if I get ammonia in my eyes or on my skin?

• Go to fresh air; rinse eyes/skin with water; seek care if irritation persists or if breathing is difficult.