NFL bans smelling salts over concussion treatment concerns previously flagged by NRL
The league sent a memo to teams explaining the decision to ban smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalants during pre-game activities, games and half-time on the sideline or locker rooms.
"In 2024, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) 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 memo read.
"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."
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle first disclosed the ban during an interview with NFL Network, crashing an interview with teammate Fred Warner to "air a grievance" about the league's ban.
"I've been distraught all day, I considered retirement," he joked, adding he used them before "every drive".
"We've got to figure out a middle ground here, somebody help me out, somebody come up with a good idea."
Smelling salts and other similar products have been used in numerous sports for decades, with athletes from boxing to ice hockey given them after head knocks, although usage has become less prevalent recently.
The practice has been banned as a concussion treatment in rugby league for years, with official concussion management documents in 2021 saying: "Smelling salts (ammonium carbonate) or similar substances must never be used following a head injury."
But many players believe they can provide a sudden jolt of energy or alertness and NRL players were seen using them as recently as this year, with a number of Bulldogs players grimacing and coughing after inhaling a powerful substance in a bottle with the label covered and being held by a trainer before a preseason game in Redcliffe.
Many teams use a bucket filled with eucalyptus oil and hot water, covered with a towel, with players taking a whiff before games.
Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes said the vapour "gives you that buzz" on an episode of the 167 Podcast he hosts with Storm teammates Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster.
They tried smelling salts in the episode to hilarious effect, with Papenhuyzen joking he felt like he had been pepper-sprayed.
"I don't know if I could do that before a game," Hughes said.
The NFL's memo explicitly prohibits any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, or any form of smelling salts.
A 2023 study titled Ammonia Inhalants: Use, Misuses, and Role in Sports Performance by orthopaedic sports medicine experts from the University of Washington and Columbia University found the treatment could boost an athlete's heart rate and increase stamina, "only during repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise".
"In contrast, there is no performance benefit to ammonia inhalants in a short burst of maximal effort despite elevated arousal and an associated perception of performance enhancement," the research from Dr Joshua Bender and Dr Charles Popkin found.
"Importantly, ammonia inhalants have no role in medical management of head injuries, as they have the potential to exacerbate an underlying brain injury due to the involuntary withdrawal reflex associated with ammonia inhalation.
"Furthermore, the signs and symptoms of a concussion or more threatening head injury may be masked by ammonia inhalation and lead to continued participation in competition, causing additional harm."
The NRL and AFL have been contacted for comment.
ABC/AP
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