Salt swap gone wrong: AI dietary guidance linked to bromide poisoning and psychosis
A 60-year-old Seattle man seeking a healthier alternative to table salt asked ChatGPT for guidance and ended up consuming bromide salts, developing paranoia and hallucinations. His labs initially suggested high chloride, but further testing revealed bromide poisoning (bromism) causing the symptoms. He was hospitalized for three weeks, treated with electrolyte management and risperidone, and gradually recovered. The case highlights the dangers of relying on AI for medical advice and suggests clinicians consider bromism in unexplained psychiatric symptoms when patients report AI-influenced dietary changes.
