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.
What makes the term âbath saltsâ more confusing, though, is that name is used for a surprisingly large number of different chemical combinations. To understand what the drug does, think of âbath saltsâ as a cross between meth and acid. Well, sort of. Like cocaine, meth, and speed, bath salts work by stimulating the central nervous system, kicking it into overdrive, if you will. But the drug also apparently causes paranoid delusions and/or hallucinations.