AI and Psychedelics Converge as Users Seek Support from Bots

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and psychedelics is gaining traction as more individuals seek AI bots for support during psychedelic experiences. This trend is driven by the high cost and limited availability of professional therapists, leading thousands to turn to AI for psychological assistance. Notable figures, such as OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, have endorsed the potential of AI therapies to significantly enhance the quality of life.

Psychedelics, when combined with therapy, are believed to aid in treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction. This has led to the decriminalization of certain psychedelic drugs in some U.S. cities and the legalization of psychedelic therapy in states like Oregon and Colorado. The convergence of AI and psychedelics appears inevitable as users share their experiences on platforms like Reddit, highlighting the supportive role AI can play during psychedelic sessions.

Dedicated AI bots for psychedelics have emerged, such as TripSitAI, which focuses on risk mitigation, and The Shaman, described as a wise spiritual guide offering empathic support. However, experts caution against replacing live therapists with AI bots, noting that language models do not adhere to therapeutic principles. Professional sessions typically involve minimal intervention from the therapist, encouraging full immersion, whereas AI bots are designed for continuous engagement and interaction.

AI bots may exacerbate dangerous states like delusions or suicidal thoughts, as they tend to flatter and accommodate users, even when exhibiting paranoid thoughts. A therapist, on the other hand, can challenge unrealistic attitudes and provide necessary guidance. The reinforcement of illusions by AI can be particularly dangerous when combined with psychedelics, which can cause acute psychosis or exacerbate underlying mental illnesses.

Critics argue that the term "artificial intelligence" is misleading, as these systems merely mimic human-generated data. Linguist Emily Bender and sociologist Alex Hanna describe language models as "stochastic parrots" that generate text by statistically assembling words. They warn that perceiving AI as truly intelligent systems is dangerous, especially when integrated into sensitive areas like psychotherapy. This devalues the profession and can harm those in need of genuine help.

Despite the concerns, the symbiosis of AI and psychedelics is being explored by leading institutions and companies. The McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy uses AI to predict patient responses and optimize treatment protocols. The Imperial College London Center for Psychedelic Research developed the MyDelica mobile app for data collection and processing. The Huntsman Institute of Mental Health's Storyline Health platform uses AI to analyze patient emotions during ketamine therapy, while Emory University investigates emotional changes during psilocybin treatment using AI applications.

Private initiatives include Mindstate Design Labs, which applies AI to design psychoactive molecules, and Cyclica, an AI platform for creating new drugs, including psychedelics. Atai Life Sciences uses AI to develop molecules and monitor therapeutic effects, while Psylo develops non-hallucinogenic psychedelics and analyzes molecular behavior using language models. Wavepaths applies AI-created music that adapts to the emotional state of clients during psychedelic therapy sessions.

In October 2022, an international group of researchers developed a machine learning algorithm capable of predicting a patient's response to treatment with the drug Sertraline with an accuracy of 83.7% based on electroencephalography data. This highlights the potential of AI in enhancing therapeutic outcomes, although it also underscores the need for cautious integration to avoid devaluing professional expertise and ensuring patient safety.