What is the bottom-line risk associated with herbal and dietary supplements for aircrew?

What is the bottom-line risk associated with herbal and dietary supplements for aircrew?

• A. They are always safe in standard doses
• B. They are recommended for long flights
• C. They can improve reaction time significantly
• D. Use can result in sudden incapacitation in flight

Answer: (D)

Herbal and dietary supplements can have potent psychoactive or physiological effects that aren’t reliably predictable, since they aren’t tested and labeled with the same rigor as medications. In aircrew, effects can be variable and lasting, including sedation, slowed reaction time, dizziness, or cardiovascular changes, all of which can abruptly impair performance. Flying requires precise control and quick decision-making, so even a small, unexpected effect can lead to sudden incapacitation. Interactions with other medications or with alcohol can amplify these risks as well. For these reasons, the most critical risk is the possibility of sudden incapacitation in flight.

Herbal and dietary supplements can have potent psychoactive or physiological effects that aren’t reliably predictable, since they aren’t tested and labeled with the same rigor as medications. In aircrew, effects can be variable and lasting, including sedation, slowed reaction time, dizziness, or cardiovascular changes, all of which can abruptly impair performance. Flying requires precise control and quick decision-making, so even a small, unexpected effect can lead to sudden incapacitation. Interactions with other medications or with alcohol can amplify these risks as well. For these reasons, the most critical risk is the possibility of sudden incapacitation in flight.