NFL bans smelling salts on sidelines — but players can still use them

The NFL has officially cracked down on the use of smelling salts during games—but players aren’t completely out of luck.

On Tuesday, the league sent a memo to teams announcing a ban on ammonia inhalants, including traditional smelling salts, during pregame activities, halftime, and while on the sideline or in the locker room. The decision, the league explained, stems from safety concerns and recent guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy,” the league wrote in a memo obtained by th