Rugby takes note as NFL bans ‘smelling salts’ over concussion worry

Rugby’s authorities aren’t making any immediate moves to outlaw “smelling salts” due to concerns that they might mask concussion symptoms.

Smelling salts, a strong combination of ammonia, water, and ethanol, are claimed to boost mental clarity or boost energy.

According to one study, irritating the nose and lungs caused a sharp breath intake and a quick flow of oxygen to the brain.

However, the NFL cautioned against smelling salts in a memo to their teams that was obtained by the Associated Press and contained additional “possible signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.”

In elite rugby dressing rooms, they are frequently used.

Tadhg Beirne, the flanker for the first British and Irish Lions’ Test against Australia last month, was shown smoking salts as the rest of the team gathered together at half-time.

On the team’s social media pages, a video of him using smelling salts and his teammate Jack Conan reacting was posted.

The panel of concussion experts’ meeting in September will likely take up the matter, but there is no intention of meeting to discuss smelling salts.

With the addition of instrumented mouthguards that trigger an alert, a mandatory check when a collision exceeds a certain level of force, and pitchside doctors monitoring incident video, World Rugby has improved diagnosing concussion in the elite game.

In cases where it’s unclear whether a player has a concussion or is able to play again, a battery of physical and memory tests is used to determine whether a player has a concussion.

Before the assessment, players are not subject to any specific rules regarding how to use smelling salts. An independent doctor reviews the results and the symptoms of the players, though.

While a group of former rugby players have sued the organization for inadequate protection from a brain injury, there is a growing awareness of concussion and its dangers among the current players.