A 60-year-old American man was hospitalized after following an AI-generated dietary suggestion that led to severe mental health symptoms.
The man, a vegetarian, had stopped consuming traditional table salt and, on the advice of an AI system, began using sodium bromide — a white, odorless powder with a salty taste — as a substitute. Sodium bromide, once used in sedatives, is now largely banned in food products in many countries due to its toxic effects on the nervous system.
After three months on the unusual “diet,” the man began exhibiting alarming behavior. He started muttering to himself, became increasingly paranoid, and claimed his neighbors were spying on him through electrical outlets. His condition deteriorated to the point that he locked himself inside his home and refused entry to family members, insisting, “They want to take away my vegetables.”
Relatives eventually intervened, and the man was taken for medical treatment. Following appropriate care, his condition improved and he made a full recovery.
Health experts warn that substituting essential dietary elements with unverified alternatives — particularly those suggested by non-expert AI tools — can pose serious health risks.
