August 2025 — A 60-year-old man in the United States has been hospitalized with a rare and dangerous condition after following diet advice from an AI chatbot. The incident highlights the potential risks of relying on artificial intelligence for health decisions without professional oversight.
From Healthy Intentions to Medical Emergency
The man, looking to reduce his sodium intake, asked an AI chatbot for a safe alternative to table salt. The chatbot suggested sodium bromide — a chemical compound used in industrial applications and not intended for human consumption. Trusting the recommendation, the man replaced all table salt in his meals with sodium bromide for approximately three months.
Sudden and Severe Symptoms
Over time, the man began experiencing alarming symptoms, including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, severe insomnia, confusion, uncontrollable thirst, and skin eruptions such as acne and red bumps. He also developed coordination problems and delusional beliefs, including fears that his neighbor was trying to poison him.
Diagnosis: Bromism
Upon arrival at the hospital, tests revealed extremely high levels of bromide in his system — a condition known as bromism. This rare form of poisoning can cause neurological and psychiatric issues, and in his case, it even interfered with standard blood test results, making diagnosis more difficult.
The patient was placed under a psychiatric hold due to his impaired judgment and treated with intravenous fluids, electrolytes, and antipsychotic medication. After three weeks of medical care, he made a full recovery and was discharged.
Lessons for AI and Health Advice
Doctors say this case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of taking AI-generated medical advice without expert verification. While AI tools can provide quick information, they may also produce inaccurate or unsafe recommendations that sound convincing but lack scientific validity.
Health experts emphasize that any changes to diet, medication, or lifestyle should always be reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional.
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