When AI Gets It Wrong: Why Fact-Checking Health Advice on ChatGPT Could Save Your Life

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Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for learning, but when it comes to your health, blind trust can be dangerous. A recent case published in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlights this risk. A 60-year-old man was hospitalized for three weeks after following diet advice he believed he found on ChatGPT.

The man wanted to cut salt from his diet, so he swapped common table salt (sodium chloride) for sodium bromide. Within months, he developed paranoia, hallucinations, and confusion. Doctors diagnosed him with bromism, a rare but serious condition caused by high bromide levels. Once common in early 20th-century medicines, bromide toxicity nearly disappeared until internet misinformation—and self-experimentation—revived it.

The case underscores a critical point: AI tools like ChatGPT are designed to provide information, not medical guidance. While they can explain health concepts, they lack the context, nuance, and safeguards of a licensed professional. In this instance, ChatGPT reportedly listed bromide as a potential alternative to chloride without strongly warning against its dangers.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, emphasizes in its terms of service that the bot should not be used for medical treatment decisions. Still, this story is a reminder that health-related answers generated by AI should always be double-checked against credible sources—or, better yet, discussed with a doctor.

The lesson? AI can help you learn, but it cannot replace professional medical advice. If you’re thinking about making major changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle, consult a qualified healthcare provider first. A few minutes of fact-checking could prevent weeks in the hospital—and protect your health from unintended harm.



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