Photo: SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP / Getty Images
A 60-year-old man was hospitalized after following advice from ChatGPT to replace table salt with sodium bromide in his diet. The incident, reported in the American College of Physicians Journals, highlights the risks of relying on artificial intelligence for health advice.
The man, who had read about the negative health effects of sodium chloride, consulted ChatGPT for alternatives. The AI suggested replacing chloride with bromide, a substance once used in medications but now known to be toxic in large amounts. After three months of consuming sodium bromide, the man developed severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, including paranoia and hallucinations, as well as dermatological issues. He was admitted to the hospital, where he initially suspected his neighbor of poisoning him. Upon further investigation, doctors diagnosed him with bromism, a condition caused by chronic bromide exposure.
The man had no prior psychiatric or medical history. He was treated with fluids and electrolytes, which stabilized his condition, allowing for psychiatric evaluation. His condition improved after three weeks in the hospital, and he was discharged with a stable mental state.
OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, states in its terms of use that its services are not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment.