Smelling salts and ammonia inhalants are two names for the same thing. The "salt" comes from the main ingredient, ammonium carbonate, which is a salt — and "smelling" from how you use it: you hold it near your nose and take a sniff. The result is a sharp, pungent, eye-watering hit of ammonia.
A quick history
Smelling salts aren't new. Written references go back to at least the 13th century, when alchemists were already working with ammonia compounds — meaning they've been around in some form for over 800 years. For much of that history they were kept on hand as a household revival aid. Only far more recently did they become a staple in sport.
Why smelling salts are popular in sport
Today you'll find them on benches, platforms, and sidelines across nearly every sport. Athletes reach for a quick sniff of that intense ammonia scent as part of their routine before a big moment — a max attempt, a heavy set, or stepping onto the ice. Because the sensation is brief, they suit sports built around short, explosive efforts rather than long endurance events: powerlifting, strongman, CrossFit, football, hockey, boxing and combat sports, and even arm wrestling. They're usually saved for the moments that matter — game day, a personal-record attempt, a max-out — not warm-ups.
Bottles vs. ampules: what's the difference?
Traditional smelling salts come as single-use ampules you crush — effective, but one-and-done. Bottled smelling salts changed that. A resealable bottle costs less over time, lasts for months, is more convenient, and holds a far sharper, more potent scent than an ampule. Potency varies a lot between makers, though — which is the whole reason we started Ward. Our original is called Bottled Insanity for a reason, and we later built the first smelling salt formulated for cold conditions for hockey, plus the refillable stainless steel Asylum bottle.
A note on use
Ward smelling salts are made for athletic and recreational use, not for medical purposes. Always follow the directions on the bottle — hold it a few inches below your nose and take a short sniff rather than pressing it to your face.