Which medications can pose significant risks to pilots?

CNS depressants can pose significant risks to pilots because they have the potential to impair cognitive and motor functions, which are crucial for safe flying. These medications, which include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and some sleep aids, can lead to sedation, decreased alertness, diminished reaction times, and impaired judgment. Such effects can directly interfere with a pilot's ability to operate an aircraft safely, especially during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. Regulatory guidelines typically discourage or prohibit the use of CNS depressants while flying to ensure the highest levels of safety and performance in the cockpit.