Psych Unseen

Artificial Intelligence

When AI Chatbots Encourage Violence

Joe Pierre M.D. on November 6, 2025

When AI chatbot sycophancy meets mental illness, the results can be deadly.

When AI chatbot sycophancy meets mental illness, the results can be deadly.

Suicide

Should AI Chatbots Be Held Responsible for Suicide?

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 27, 2025

Several cases of suicide encouraged by AI chatbot use have been reported. Should chatbot makers be held liable?

Several cases of suicide encouraged by AI chatbot use have been reported. Should chatbot makers be held liable?

Psychosis

How Can You Help a Loved One Suffering From Delusions?

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 16, 2025

Those with delusions and delusion-like beliefs often reject mental health care. What can family and friends do to help?

Those with delusions and delusion-like beliefs often reject mental health care. What can family and friends do to help?

Artificial Intelligence

Why Do People Develop Emotional Attachments to AI Chatbots?

Joe Pierre M.D. on August 26, 2025

How loneliness, narcissism, anthropomorphism, and transference can explain emotional attachment to AI chatbots.

How loneliness, narcissism, anthropomorphism, and transference can explain emotional attachment to AI chatbots.

Artificial Intelligence

Why Is AI-Associated Psychosis Happening and Who's at Risk?

Joe Pierre M.D. on August 21, 2025

When a user's psychosis-proneness meets an AI chatbot's sycophancy, delusional thinking can result.

When a user's psychosis-proneness meets an AI chatbot's sycophancy, delusional thinking can result.

Artificial Intelligence

Can AI-Associated Psychosis Be Treated or Prevented?

Joe Pierre M.D. on July 24, 2025

The first step in reducing the risk of artificial intelligence-associated psychosis is to correct misunderstandings about what AI chatbots actually do.

The first step in reducing the risk of artificial intelligence-associated psychosis is to correct misunderstandings about what AI chatbots actually do.

Artificial Intelligence

Deification as a Risk Factor for AI-Associated Psychosis

Joe Pierre M.D. on July 15, 2025

Deification and immersion may be driving anecdotal reports of AI-associated psychosis.

Deification and immersion may be driving anecdotal reports of AI-associated psychosis.

Artificial Intelligence

Can AI Chatbots Worsen Psychosis and Cause Delusions?

Joe Pierre M.D. on July 2, 2025

When “looking for answers and doing our own research,” AI can sometimes lead us down a dark path that encourages delusional thinking.

When “looking for answers and doing our own research,” AI can sometimes lead us down a dark path that encourages delusional thinking.

Artificial Intelligence

Will AI Therapy Chatbots Replace Human Psychotherapists?

Joe Pierre M.D. on June 18, 2025

When it comes to psychotherapy, AI may not be ready for primetime, but it's an inevitability that shouldn't be held to a superhuman standard.

When it comes to psychotherapy, AI may not be ready for primetime, but it's an inevitability that shouldn't be held to a superhuman standard.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Hallucinations in Medicine and Mental Health

Joe Pierre M.D. on June 10, 2025

AI hallucinations are yet another source of misinformation related to mental health and should not be relied upon for medical advice.

AI hallucinations are yet another source of misinformation related to mental health and should not be relied upon for medical advice.

Friends

Is AI Really the Cure for Loneliness and Lack of Connection?

Joe Pierre M.D. on May 6, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg's dystopian vision of artificial friendship is quite literally out of touch with reality.

Mark Zuckerberg's dystopian vision of artificial friendship is quite literally out of touch with reality.

Identity

The Psychology of the True Believer

Joe Pierre M.D. on March 26, 2025

While strong faith can be healthy, the intellectual arrogance and cognitive rigidity of true believers can result in interpersonal conflict.

While strong faith can be healthy, the intellectual arrogance and cognitive rigidity of true believers can result in interpersonal conflict.

Motivated Reasoning

Why Do People Believe Things That Aren’t True?

Joe Pierre M.D. on February 20, 2025

Mistrust, misinformation, and motivated reasoning help explain why we often refuse to admit that we might be wrong.

Mistrust, misinformation, and motivated reasoning help explain why we often refuse to admit that we might be wrong.

Cognition

Why Do We Believe?

Joe Pierre M.D. on January 30, 2025

We rely on four kinds of fallible “evidence” to justify our beliefs. Each carries pitfalls.

We rely on four kinds of fallible “evidence” to justify our beliefs. Each carries pitfalls.

Psychedelics

Bad Trip: The Dark Side of Psychedelics

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 31, 2024

If psychedelics are to be approved as medicines, adverse effects must be better understood and balanced against the hope and hype.

If psychedelics are to be approved as medicines, adverse effects must be better understood and balanced against the hope and hype.

Psychedelics

Revelation or Delusion? The Impact of Psychedelics on Belief

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 9, 2024

Psychedelic drugs can influence our beliefs about religion and politics, but whether these represent insights or false impressions about the world remains unclear.

Psychedelic drugs can influence our beliefs about religion and politics, but whether these represent insights or false impressions about the world remains unclear.

Psychedelics

Can Psychedelics Lead You to Believe in God?

Joe Pierre M.D. on October 7, 2024

Psychedelic use tends to increase belief in God, but decrease belief in monotheism.

Psychedelic use tends to increase belief in God, but decrease belief in monotheism.

Bias

Can Racism Ever Be Treated With Antipsychotic Medication?

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 10, 2024

A new case report suggests the possibility that antipsychotic medications could in rare cases mitigate racial prejudice and other ideological beliefs.

A new case report suggests the possibility that antipsychotic medications could in rare cases mitigate racial prejudice and other ideological beliefs.

Conspiracy Theories

Why Do Political Leaders Promote Conspiracy Theories?

Joe Pierre M.D. on September 9, 2024

Conspiracy theories are often used by politicians as psychological propaganda or an authoritarian power play.

Conspiracy theories are often used by politicians as psychological propaganda or an authoritarian power play.

Politics

Support for Political Violence Is on the Rise

Joe Pierre M.D. on July 18, 2024

Polls indicate that support for political violence is on the rise. But a closer look at poll results yields some surprises about who's most likely to support it.

Polls indicate that support for political violence is on the rise. But a closer look at poll results yields some surprises about who's most likely to support it.