A new frontier in psychedelic therapy has emerged, with AI-powered chatbots like Alterd’s “chat with your mind” function gaining popularity among those seeking to explore the benefits of psychedelics. However, experts are raising concerns about the potential risks and limitations of relying on machines for therapeutic guidance.
Trey, a first responder from Atlanta, credits his use of Alterd with helping him overcome alcoholism. He reports feeling “true freedom” after using the app’s AI-powered chatbot to support him during psychedelic trips. While Trey’s experiences are anecdotal, they highlight the potential benefits of AI-assisted psychedelic therapy.
However, experts warn that relying solely on machines for therapeutic guidance can be detrimental. Manesh Girn, a postdoctoral neuroscientist at UC San Francisco, notes that “dynamic emotional attunement and ability to co-regulate the nervous system” are essential for therapeutic rapport in psychedelic therapy. ChatGPT, like other AI chatbots, falls short of this standard.
Researchers have also explored how AI machines could potentially run brain modulatory devices to influence neural activity during psychedelic trips. However, these advancements raise questions about the long-term safety and efficacy of AI-assisted psychedelic therapy.
As the use of AI-powered chatbots in psychedelic therapy continues to gain traction, experts urge caution. While an AI bot-assisted psychedelic trip may be safer than none at all, it is essential to acknowledge the potential risks and limitations of relying on machines for therapeutic guidance.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/people-are-using-ai-chatbots-to-guide-their-psychedelic-trips