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.
Smelling Salts: Use In Sports. The use of smelling salts in sports have become very common across a variety of different sports. Though you may not have known it before, many of your favorite athletes likely use smelling salts to improve performance. Letâs talk a bit about how ammonia inhalants are used in powerlifting, hockey, boxing, and football.