Relation of body mass index and waist-to-height ratio to cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Freedman DS, Kahn HS, Mei Z, Grummer-Strawn LM, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS. [PubMed-indexed for MEDLINE].
Smelling salts release ammonia (NH3) gas, which triggers an inhalation reflex (that is, causes the muscles that control breathing to work faster) by irritating the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs. Although these hypothetical mechanisms have been discussed, it is likely that smelling salts are not effective.
These chemosensory scientists are exploring how to: 1  Promote the regeneration of sensory nerve cells. 2  Understand the effects of the environment (such as gasoline fumes, chemicals, and extremes of humidity and temperature) on smell and taste. 3  Prevent the effects of aging on smell and taste. 4  Develop new diagnostic tests for taste and smell disorders. Understand associations between smell disorders and changes in diet and food preferences in the elderly or among people with chronic illnesses.