Why smelling salts are under scrutiny in hockey
Smelling salts have long been a fixture on sports benches, delivering a quick jolt of alertness for athletes before key moments. While the NFL signaled caution in 2024—placing restrictions on teams distributing ammonia-based inhalants due to safety and efficacy concerns—the NHL has kept its stance open. The league’s policy allows teams to distribute smelling salts, but it is now under renewed study as questions about safety and impact on concussion masking linger.
Proponents say the small packets produce a rapid wake-up call that helps players shift into game mode. Critics, including medical bodies, warn that claims about performance benefits can be misleading and stress the importance of medical oversight for stimulants and any substances that might mask injuries.
What different hockey organizations are saying
In Canada, Hockey Québec banned smelling salts in February after a coach was suspended for their use in the under-11 age group. Hockey Canada has refrained from issuing a formal league-wide policy on stimulant products but acknowledged concerns about the availability and use of ammonia-based inhalants and other stimulants among players nationwide.
Meanwhile, Sport BC and other regional bodies have raised questions about how these products are accessed and used by athletes at various levels. The Professional Women’s Hockey League took a firmer stance in its inaugural 2023-24 season, directing all teams not to supply smelling salts and urging players that use is discouraged.
Voices from the ice: players weigh in
Current and former players have offered a range of takes on the practice. Some, like a veteran forward now with a major club, describe smelling salts as a ritual that signals a mental switch before play. “It’s not about the substance itself; it’s about the focus it triggers,” one player said, noting the jolt helps them feel primed for the faceoff and the period ahead.
Others are more cautious. A rising center emphasized that while smelling salts can wake you up, the real benefits are subjective, and the science around their effects remains unclear. “I think people exaggerate a little bit, but they do help,” he said. “Wakes you up, shocks your system a bit.” He added a caveat: “Kids shouldn’t be doing it, and it’s probably smart that they ban that.”
A veteran winger suggested the sensory rush can be part of a broader pre-game routine, with players relying on a mix of adrenaline, camaraderie, and preparation to hit peak performance. “Before the game, we’re in the mindset: this is go time,” he explained. “If it’s banned, players will adapt.”
Connnecting policy, science, and the game
The debate isn’t just about tradition; it intersects with public health and the science of injury management. The FDA has issued warnings about the safety and marketing claims of ammonia-based products, highlighting concerns that they may mask concussion symptoms and other injuries. As leagues refine their rules, they must balance preserving competitive edge with protecting players’ long-term health.
League leadership, including officials from the NHL and NHLPA, have stressed that the policy environment will evolve. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently indicated that while there are no immediate plans to ban smelling salts outright, the topic remains under careful observation. He noted the FDA’s warnings and questioned the underlying claims rather than disputing their potential effects wholesale.
What players say they want—and what fans should watch
Fans may notice that the conversation around smelling salts has shifted from a curious bench habit to a broader discussion about stimulant use in professional sports. Some players view the ritual as a harmless, even harmlessly entertaining, pre-game spark; others see a need for stricter oversight, especially for younger athletes whose access to stimulants is a concern for coaches and parents.
As leagues consider policy updates, it’s likely the conversation will continue at media tours, in team rooms, and at regulatory meetings. The central tension remains: can teams protect players’ safety while respecting the sensory traditions that many athletes feel help them switch into “game mode”? The answer may depend on ongoing research, medical guidance, and a willingness to adapt rules to evolving science.
