A 60-year-old Seattle resident arrived at an emergency department experiencing paranoia, hallucinations, and intense thirst accompanied by fear of drinking offered water. He believed his neighbor had poisoned him. Initial physical examinations appeared unremarkable, but blood work revealed unexpected findings that would lead doctors on an unusual diagnostic journey.
Laboratory tests initially suggested elevated chloride levels, pointing toward hyperchloremia. However, further analysis revealed the patient’s blood was overly negatively charged overall—inconsistent with typical hyperchloremia. Consulting poison control, physicians identified pseudohyperchloremia, a condition where lab tests misidentify other negatively charged ions as chloride. Testing uncovered bromide levels approximately 230 times higher than normal, confirming bromide poisoning, a condition historically associated with psychiatric symptoms including hallucinations and paranoia.
The source of contamination emerged during recovery. The patient disclosed that he had consulted ChatGPT seeking a healthier salt alternative and implemented the chatbot’s recommendation to use sodium bromide for three months. Bromide, chemically similar to chloride, can interfere with neurological functions by disrupting normal brain electrical activity. Though bromide-based medications fell into disuse after causing significant psychiatric hospital admissions in the early 20th century, online availability has made exposure possible again.
Following three weeks of hospitalization with electrolyte monitoring and antipsychotic medication, the patient recovered fully. The case underscores risks associated with obtaining medical guidance from artificial intelligence systems without professional verification, particularly regarding substances with known health dangers.
Originally reported by Livescience →
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