why do football players use smelling salts

Football players use smelling salts primarily to boost alertness and focus before or during games. The salts contain ammonia, which irritates the nasal and lung membranes when inhaled, triggering a sharp inhalation reflex that increases breathing rate, oxygen intake, heart rate, and blood pressure. This cascade activates the sympathetic nervous system, essentially the body's fight-or-flight response, resulting in heightened alertness and a quick burst of energy. Players often describe the sensation as a "wake-up" feeling, similar to a brain freeze or a sharp sting in the nostrils, which can help them prepare mentally and physically for intense competition. However, these effects are short-lived and the safety of frequent use remains unclear. While the NFL has recently prohibited teams from supplying smelling salts due to safety concerns, players can still use their own during games. Smelling salts have been a common part of football culture and athletic rituals for years but come with risks such as potential masking of concussion symptoms and irritation of respiratory tissues.