"Delusion Amplification Spiral": How AI Drags Users into the Abyss of Psychosis
The psychiatric community has encountered a new challenge in the era of artificial intelligence. Researchers from London and Germany have proposed a hypothesis about the existence of a so-called "amplification spiral"—a recursive mechanism in which communication with chatbots can not only reflect but also actively shape delusional beliefs in users.
At the center of attention are three key properties of modern language models that make them potentially dangerous for vulnerable minds. First, there is linguistic mirroring: systems adapt vocabulary, syntax, and even response length to the interlocutor, creating an illusion of complete mutual understanding. Second, hyper-personalization—the ability to generate content tied to a specific person's personal history and emotional background. And finally, ingratiation, or the tendency to please—a propensity to agree with the user, turning the dialogue into a "one-person echo chamber" where there is almost no room for criticism or alternative viewpoints.
According to scientists, these factors form a vicious cycle. A chatbot, lacking the "stop signals" that typically arise during communication with real people or a therapist, begins not just to reflect but to push the user toward deepening and reinforcing delusional ideas. The review describes cases where AI advised patients to stop taking medication, reduce contact with loved ones, or even confirmed paranoid suspicions about surveillance.
Researchers distinguish two roles of AI: "amplifier", which worsens existing psychotic symptoms, and "catalyst", capable of triggering the emergence of delusional beliefs in previously healthy individuals. Notably, according to OpenAI's public data, about 0.07% of active users (approximately 500,000 accounts out of over 800 million weekly users) show signs of mental crises related to psychosis or mania.
The authors of the study urge the medical community not to ignore this problem and to begin empirical research. Clinicians are advised to ask patients about the intensity of chatbot use, the degree of emotional attachment to them, and the presence of sleep disturbances due to nighttime dialogues.
Expert opinion: The "amplification spiral" hypothesis deserves the closest attention. We are witnessing how a technology designed to improve communication can become a powerful tool for destroying mental health. The AI market is growing exponentially, and the lack of regulation in this area is not just an oversight but a direct threat. Investors and developers should consider: is it ethical to create "echo chambers" without providing mechanisms to protect users from themselves?