A man's health experiment guided by ChatGPT led him to replace table salt with sodium bromide, resulting in psychosis.

In a recent incident, a 60-year-old man experienced severe consequences after heeding health advice from ChatGPT. Known for his past studies in nutrition during college, the man embarked on an experimental journey to remove all chlorine from his diet. This decision led him to eliminate table salt, or sodium chloride, and instead opt for sodium bromide, which he procured online based on suggestions drawn from his interactions with ChatGPT.

Three months into his new regimen, the man was admitted to a local emergency room under distressing circumstances. He arrived claiming his neighbor was attempting to poison him. Despite experiencing extreme thirst, he hesitated to accept water offered at the hospital, explaining that he had resorted to distilling water himself and adhered strictly to a vegetarian diet. During this time, he did not disclose any details about the sodium bromide substitution or his discussions with ChatGPT.

His peculiar behavior and evident anxiety prompted medical professionals to conduct comprehensive lab tests. These tests revealed multiple micronutrient deficiencies and uncovered a more pressing issue: a condition known as "bromism." The excessive accumulation of bromine in his body was attributed as the cause of his symptoms.

A century ago, bromism accounted for approximately 8–10% of psychiatric admissions in the United States. At that time, bromine-containing salts like potassium bromide were commonly used as sedatives by individuals seeking relief from anxiety or insomnia due to their calming properties.

The dangerous aspect of bromides is their propensity to accumulate within the human body easily, ultimately impairing nerve function when present in excess quantities. This impairment can lead to various health issues, including grotesque skin rashes and significant mental disturbances grouped under the term "bromism."