The NFL are set to ban smelling salts and ammonia packets in a move which could cause outrage among the league’s players. 

Hundreds of players have previously admitted to using the product which is typically used to boost alertness and energy – during their respective careers. 

The news was confirmed by 49ers star George Kittle on Tuesday afternoon. He claimed: ‘I considered retirement. We have to figure out a middle ground’. 

Smelling salts are also popular across multiple sports and with regular gym-goers. Users are advised to take a ‘whiff’ of the product due to how powerful it can be.

However, there has been growing concern over the usage of the stimulant, with the FDA sending out a warning to customers in August last year. 

They claimed that using smelling salts ‘can quickly lead to coughing, airway constriction, and eye, nose, and throat irritation’.

The NFL are set to ban smelling salts and ammonia packets from the league

Hundreds of players have previously admitted to using the stimulant prior to games

The FDA warned that smelling salts ‘can quickly lead to coughing and throat irritation’ 

The stimulant has previously been endorsed by Joe Rogan, who spoke at length about smelling salts during a podcast episode three years ago. 

Rogan initially tried the product himself – along with comedian Theo Von – and struggled to deal with the intensity that they provided. 

However, Rogan encouraged his producer to try the stimulant. He said: ‘You should take a hit! It’s not that bad. It’s not painful’.

Rogan later posted a clip onto his Instagram with the caption: ‘Our first experience with smelling salts. The great and powerful @theovon and I took a whiff of @jujimufu’s good stuff. 

‘Shoutout to my friend @worlds_strongest_gay for the introduction to these fine olfactory stimulators. Holy s*** was that intense’.

In a report by ESPN last year, Dr. Joseph Estwanik of the American College of Sports Medicine also warned of the dangers that the stimulant can cause.

He explained: ‘The claim is that smelling salts arouse your consciousness and focus, but how many of us in our daily lives think it’s appropriate during a tough day at work to open a bottle of ammonia and start sniffing the fumes?’ 

‘Ammonia’s intended use is for cleaning. Giving a highly trained elite athlete ammonia to help them perform at their peak is like throwing a drowning man a cup of coffee.’ 

Back in 2011, after former quarterback Terry Bradshaw began experiencing the effects of brain damage, he wrote: ‘When I played for the Steelers and I got my bell rung, I’d take smelling salts and go right back out there. All of us did that.’

More to follow…