Ep. 83: Are Smelling Salts Dangerous?

In Today’s Episode: Are Smelling Salts Dangerous?

Join us as we break from our usual founder interviews and put a viral fitness product under the microscope. In this solo lab-style episode, Cody and CJ investigate the science, safety, and claims behind smelling salts—specifically the widely available brand Ward—and whether they actually improve athletic performance or pose serious risks.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:
-Smelling salts don’t “wake you up” — they trigger a fight-or-flight alarm in your nervous system by aggressively activating the sympathetic response.
-There is little to no credible evidence showing smelling salts improve strength, reaction time, or athletic performance, and they may even impair motor control.
-Smelling salts can be dangerous, especially after concussions, and raise serious concerns around safety, regulation, and misleading marketing claims.

Questions We Answer in This Episode:
-Are smelling salts actually improving performance, or just making you feel more alert?
-What does the science say about how smelling salts affect the brain and nervous system?
-Is Ward a trustworthy brand, and are smelling salts safe for athletes to use?

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: A Different Kind of Episode
01:05 What Are Smelling Salts and Why Should You Care?
04:16 The Ward Origin Story and Founder Background
07:40 The Gap in the Market: Stronger Salts?
08:30 The Science Problem: Do Smelling Salts Actually Work?
12:20 Competitive Analysis and Marketing Claims
16:59 FDA Warning Letter and Red Flags
23:58 The Website Deep Dive: Terms of Service Chaos
11:00 Health Risks and Concussion Dangers
27:29 Lab Results: Buy or Not Buy?

Apollo Link: https://apolloneuro.com/mbblab

Where to Learn More About TDL & Our Hosts:
The Decision Lab Socials: https://stan.store/thedecisionlab
Cody’s Socials: https://stan.store/mindbrainbodylab
Chloe’s Socials: https://stan.store/chloegoesinward

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