The actual science behind smelling salts and how it helps in injury recovery

The history of smelling salts 

It was the Romans who started using smelling salts to “awaken” the senses and its use is mentioned by philosopher Pliny the Elder, in his work Natural History. Ammonium carbonate was also used by bakers prior to the advent of baking soda and was called “baker’s ammonia”.  

Smelling salts were largely used in the Victorian period by doctors and the actual use of “spirits of ammonia” date back to the 13^th century. They were used to revive fatigued athletes or profusely beaten boxers by passing the salts under their nose and tickling their necks by feathers. In the later years, the use of smelling salts was banned in boxing. These salts were also used to revive women who have fainted and were termed as “lady revivers”.

During the Second World War, the British Red Cross and St. John Ambulance recommended smelling salts to be kept in first aid boxes. Present-day smelling salts are composed of diluted ammonia dissolved in a mixture of water and alcohol. They come in glass vials, which are broken, inhaled and discarded. Recent statistics indicate that around 80 percent of the NFL players make use of smelling salts.

While many doctors think that these salts cause a withdrawal symptom, long term adverse effects are yet to be discovered. In the past decade, many players have admitted that smelling salts raised their adrenaline levels by a large percentage. This is however debated by physicians due to lack of scientific evidence. Many consider this to be a form of a placebo effect.

How do smelling salts help in recovery

The oldest use of smelling salts was to help in the recovery of a patient who has fainted. Fainting is generally caused by the lack of blood flow in the brain which results in a short supply of oxygen. One of the major causes of fainting is low blood pressure which can be caused by a variety of factors. Another reason is related to breathing problems.

As a person falls down while fainting, that action in itself can help in the recovery process. This is because in the lying position, the heart does not need to act as hard to pump blood to the brain.

In cases when the patient is having breathing problems, smelling salts can be useful through their action. They reactivate the sympathetic nervous system, elevate blood pressure and heart rate. In many cases, fainting is caused by the stimulation of the vagus nerve and it cannot be treated by inhalation of smelling salts.

The caustic fumes of ammonia irritate the mucous linings of the air passage, which generates a breathing reflex due to an aggressive reaction of the body. This reflex makes the body breathe deeply so that the passage can be cleared from the stinging chemical. Deeper inhalations send more oxygen to the brain which helps in the recovery of the patient.

In general, for any patient who is feeling faint, the doctors advise them to lie down and breathe deeply so that the blood flow and oxygen levels can return to normal.

In many cases athletes use smelling salt to recover from an injury or to enhance alertness. It is not clear whether smelling salts can actually help in case of a concussion, as such an injury is not caused by oxygen deprivation. Whether the salt can enhance reaction time or has other cognitive benefits, is still something that needs to be scientifically established.

Physicians have explained the action of smelling salts as a form of chain reaction that starts with deeper breathing. The faster breathing rate elevates the heart rate so that the oxygen and carbon-di-oxide levels can be maintained correctly. This activates the sympathetic nervous system which controls the fight-or-flight response that takes over during emergency situations.

The entire chain of events can increase the overall strength of the athlete, even though it reduces the fine motor skills to some extent. If players feel more confident after inhaling smelling salts, it will definitely have a positive impact on their performance.

The safe use of smelling salts

Like any other supplement, it is essential to use smelling salts in a safe manner, if you use them at all. The first thing to do is to consult your doctor so that you can be sure that you do not have any physical conditions that can be aggravated by the using of smelling salts.

Those with respiratory problems like asthma, should be careful before using smelling salts. Higher doses can result in headaches and allergic reactions, though rare, can occur in some cases. These salts should not be used randomly but in controlled situations, under the guidance of a health professional. Injudicious use of these salts may delay the right treatment of an injured athlete which is not recommended.

Many experts suggest the use of alternative methods like deep breathing techniques before a game to reduce stress levels and optimize performance. The salts should also be used in a manner that has been provided by the manufacturer. It is best to clarify doubts from a professional regarding the use of smelling salts before you start using them in search of benefits.

While smelling salts can be very risky to use a seriously injured person, they can be used under guidance to gain some energy before a sporting event.

References

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