What began as a simple health experiment for a 60-year-old man looking to cut down on table salt spiralled into a three-week hospital stay, hallucinations, and a diagnosis of bromism — a condition so rare today it is more likely to be found in Victorian medical textbooks than in modern clinics. According to a case report published on 5 August 2025 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the man had turned to ChatGPT for advice on replacing sodium chloride in his diet. The AI chatbot reportedly suggested sodium bromide — a chemical more commonly associated with swimming pool maintenance than seasoning vegetables.
From Kitchen Swap to Psychiatric Ward
The man, who had no prior psychiatric or major medical history, followed the AI’s recommendation for three months, sourcing sodium bromide online. His aim was to remove chloride entirely from his meals, inspired by past studies he had…
