Doctors warn public against stimulant drugs used by IDF

Pilots participating in long missions over Iran as part of Operation Roaring Lion have admitted to using stimulant pills to maintain concentration, leading doctors to warn against the phenomenon spreading from the tightly controlled system in the IDF to the general public, where it could end in cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.

The intense operational activity in the skies over Iran and Lebanon forces air crews to remain airborne for long hours without sleep. In recent days, pilots have admitted that as part of these complex missions, they use stimulant pills designed to help maintain alertness in situations of extreme fatigue.

This disclosure has raised concern among experts who fear that members of the public may attempt to adopt the method as a solution to the accumulated fatigue of wartime conditions.

Dr. Salo Haretz, head of the Neurology Department at Assuta Ashdod, specified that military use should not be applied to civilian life.

“Pilots have one of the most advanced medical systems in the world monitoring them,” explained Dr. Haretz. “The danger begins when people think that if it works for pilots, it is also a simple solution for them. Drugs from the modafinil family affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain, and using them without close medical supervision is dangerous. 

According to experts, uncontrolled use of these medications carries significant risks. Beyond headaches and dizziness, the drugs can lead to increased blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, and, in rare cases, even strokes, anxiety, and depression.

Dr. Haretz said that in the past week, there has already been an increase in online searches for medications that enhance alertness, a sign of growing interest among citizens dealing with disrupted sleep and ongoing stress.

Health officials emphasize that alertness-enhancing drugs are not a substitute for sleep, a critical process for the recovery of the brain and the body.

“During sleep, processes of information processing and hormonal regulation take place,” Dr. Haretz explained. “Pushing the body to extremes with medication instead of rest is a trap. The most important thing is not to fall into the assumption that if there is a solution for pilots on a mission, it is suitable for everyone.”

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