Herbal and dietary supplements in aircrew can cause what?

• A. No Effect
• B. Enhanced Performance
• C. Sudden Incapacitation In Flight
• D. Improved Hydration

Answer: (C)

Herbal and dietary supplements can contain active substances that unpredictably affect the nervous system and cardiovascular system. Their ingredients and strengths vary between products and batches, and many are not tightly regulated or thoroughly tested for safety or efficacy. Some supplements can cause sedation, dizziness, impaired judgment, or slowed reaction times; others can trigger tachycardia, hypotension, or adverse interactions with medications you’re already taking. Altitude, fatigue, dehydration, and circadian disruption can magnify these effects, making impairment more likely. In airflight, even a product that seems harmless can lead to sudden incapacitation, compromising crew performance and safety. That’s why the risk of sudden incapacitation in flight is the real concern with herbal and dietary supplements.