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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.
What Do Smelling Salts Do? Smelling salts are most frequently used to increase alertness and consciousnessâessentially, they get you hyped up. This is due to the inhalation of ammonia gas that occurs when you use smelling salts.