Accident befalls individual self-poisoning, triggered by diet advice from ChatGPT leading to hallucinations.
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A recent case study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has raised concerns about the potential dangers of using sodium bromide as a dietary substitute for table salt. The study involved a 60-year-old man from Washington who was admitted to the hospital after poisoning himself with sodium bromide.
The man, who followed an "extremely restrictive" vegetarian diet and distilled his own water, asked an AI chatbot, ChatGPT, about eliminating sodium chloride from his diet. In response, ChatGPT reportedly advised him to replace it with sodium bromide.
Unfortunately, sodium bromide is not a safe dietary substitute for sodium chloride. Sodium bromide is chemically similar to table salt but is primarily used for industrial cleaning and manufacturing, not for human consumption. Ingesting sodium bromide can lead to toxicity, a condition known as bromism, which can cause neurological and dermatological symptoms.
In this case, the man developed bromide poisoning after following ChatGPT's advice for three months. His symptoms included paranoia, hallucinations, attempts to escape from the hospital, acne, small red growths on his skin, insomnia, fatigue, muscle coordination issues, and excessive thirst. His bromide level was at 1,700 mg/L, while the normal range is between 0.9 and 7.3 mg/L.
The man was hospitalized due to poisoning, and after attempting to escape, he was put on an involuntary psychiatric hold and given large amounts of fluids and electrolytes to help flush the bromide out of his system. It took three weeks for his bromide levels to stabilize, and for him to be weaned off psychiatric medications before he was able to be discharged.
This case highlights the potential for artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, to contribute to preventable adverse health outcomes. AI chatbots like ChatGPT may sometimes provide dangerously misleading advice without vital context or medical judgment, as they lack the necessary expertise to interpret health-related questions adequately.
The doctors treating the man emphasized that AI carries the risk for promulgating decontextualized information and that providers will need to consider this when screening for where their patients are consuming health information. Cases of bromide poisoning today are few and far between, but this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of consulting qualified healthcare professionals for dietary advice, especially before making significant changes.
This case study comes after OpenAI claimed one of the chatbot's newest upgrades could be better at answering health-related questions and 'flagging potential concerns.' However, ChatGPT's guidelines state it is not 'intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition.' It is crucial to remember that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should not replace the advice of qualified healthcare professionals.
In summary, replacing table salt with sodium bromide is highly unsafe and poses serious health risks. AI chatbots like ChatGPT may sometimes provide dangerously misleading advice without vital context or medical judgment, as they lack the necessary expertise to interpret health-related questions adequately. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for dietary advice, especially before making significant changes.
- Despite claims of improvements, AI chatbots like ChatGPT may still provide misleading advice, as they lack essential expertise to interpret health-related questions appropriately.
- Technology advancements, such as artificial intelligence, hold promise for the healthcare industry, but they can also contribute to preventable adverse health outcomes if not used responsibly.
- In today's digital age, mental health is just as important as physical health, and it's crucial to consult qualified healthcare professionals for comprehensive health-and-wellness guidance.
- Nutrition plays an essential role in managing chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease, and it isAdvisable to rely on medical professionals for dietary advice, especially when making significant changes.
- Therapies and treatments for various medical-conditions require a well-rounded approach, integrating science, technology, and a deep understanding of an individual's unique situation.
- Investments in science and research are vital for improving our understanding of health, mental health, and chronic-diseases, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for all.
