A 60-year-old man was hospitalized after developing a rare illness known as bromism when he replaced table salt with sodium bromide based on dietary advice he obtained from ChatGPT.
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According to a case study published on August 5, 2025, in the Annals of Internal Medicine Clinical Cases and reported by The Economic Times, the man asked the AI tool for alternatives to regular salt and was advised to try bromide instead of chloride. Over three months, he ordered sodium bromide online and consumed it regularly, believing it was a healthy substitute.
Doctors said the man later suffered paranoia, hallucinations, insomnia, excessive thirst, coordination problems, and skin irritation. His condition worsened to the point where he believed his neighbor was poisoning him, leading to his admission at a psychiatric unit.
Medical tests revealed abnormalities caused by bromide interfering with standard lab results, prompting specialists to diagnose him with bromism, a condition rarely seen since bromide was removed from medicines in the late 20th century. He was treated with fluids, electrolyte correction, and antipsychotic medication, eventually stabilizing after weeks of care.
Health experts have since warned the public against relying solely on AI tools for medical guidance. They stress that while chatbots may provide general information, they cannot replace the context and judgment of qualified doctors, making professional consultation essential in matters of health and nutrition.
