If you’ve ever typed your symptoms into ChatGPT, you are one of the millions of people who have turned to the AI chatbot for quick answers about their health—whether it’s a strange rash, recurring headaches, or even feelings of anxiety. The responses often sound confident, sometimes even reassuring but here’s the interesting thing, confidence doesn’t equal accuracy.

Stop for a second and ask yourself- would you trust an internet search result to make a medical decision for you? Then why do so many of us feel comfortable letting a chatbot take on that role? While ChatGPT is brilliant at conversation, it isn’t a doctor, a licensed therapist, or even a safe substitute for any professional care.

Artificial intelligence has surged into daily life in ways few could have imagined even three years ago. Among these tools, ChatGPT—the large language model developed by OpenAI—has become one of the most widely adopted. Launched in late 2022, it crossed 100 million users in just two months, a record for consumer technology. Its ability to mimic natural conversation, draft essays, generate code, and even pass law exams has fueled endless fascination. Bill Gates himself has declared it as transformative as the personal computer or the internet.

But the rush to embrace AI raises pressing questions when it comes to healthcare. What happens when people begin turning to ChatGPT for medical guidance or emotional support? A growing body of research suggests that while the chatbot has value in certain contexts, relying on it for diagnosing diseases or mental health treatment carries serious risks.

Why Is The Idea Of A Digital Doctor So Alluring?

ChatGPT’s popularity rests on its uncanny ability to sound human. Type in a question about a rash, a persistent cough, or a wave of anxiety, and within seconds it generates paragraphs of plausible-sounding advice. For someone unable to see a doctor immediately—or someone simply curious—it can feel like having a physician or therapist on demand.

That accessibility is no small thing. Nearly half of people who could benefit from therapy, for example, never receive it. Primary care wait times in many countries, including the United States, can stretch for weeks. Against that backdrop, a free, always-available AI tool looks like a lifeline.

Yet what makes ChatGPT appealing—its speed and confidence—is also what makes it dangerous. The model doesn’t understand health, disease, or psychology. It predicts words based on patterns in its training data. Sometimes those predictions are accurate. Other times, they’re dangerously wrong.

Does ChatGPT Turns Curiosity Into Misdiagnosis Of Physical Health Issues?

It’s common for users to feed symptoms into ChatGPT, hoping for quick clarity. But the answers it returns can veer from banal to catastrophic. A simple headache may come back with possibilities ranging from dehydration to brain tumor. One user who typed in details about a chest lump was told it could be cancer. In reality, it was a lipoma—a benign fatty growth that occurs in about one in every thousand people.

This kind of “worst-case scenario medicine” has consequences. It can fuel unnecessary anxiety, encourage inappropriate self-treatment, or delay people from seeking professional evaluation. Unlike a licensed physician, ChatGPT cannot order diagnostic tests, perform a physical exam, or rule out conditions with clinical judgment. Nor does it carry malpractice insurance for when it gets things wrong.

That’s not to say ChatGPT has no role at all in supporting patients. It can translate dense medical jargon into plain English, help organize a symptom timeline before a doctor visit, or suggest questions to ask during an appointment. Used this way, it may even make healthcare interactions more productive. But it cannot replace medical expertise.

For Mental Health

The risks grow sharper in the realm of mental health. Therapy is not just about words—it’s about connection, trust, and the ability to navigate nuance in real time. A human therapist listens not only to what is said but also to tone, pauses, and body language. They are bound by professional codes and legal responsibilities designed to protect patients from harm.

ChatGPT offers none of that. It can suggest breathing exercises, grounding techniques, or motivational reframing. But it lacks lived experience and genuine empathy. It cannot detect suicidal ideation buried between the lines of a text prompt. Worse, because its training data reflect biases in society, its advice may unintentionally reinforce stigma or harmful stereotypes.

A recent Stanford study underscored these dangers. Researchers found that AI therapy chatbots were not only less effective than human therapists but could also introduce dangerous biases. “LLM-based systems are being used as companions, confidants, and therapists, and some people see real benefits,” said Nick Haber, assistant professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and senior author of the study. “But we find significant risks, and it’s important to lay out the safety-critical aspects of therapy.”

For anyone in true crisis, relying on a chatbot could be catastrophic. In the U.S., dialing 988 connects callers with trained counselors on the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. No AI can—or should—fill that role.

Could AI Help in Healthcare?

To be clear, the lesson is not that AI has no place in medicine. In fact, carefully designed AI applications already help radiologists detect tumors, assist pathologists in analyzing slides, and streamline hospital logistics. Within mental health, AI tools could be useful for lower-stakes applications: supporting journaling, coaching, or serving as training partners for clinicians.

ChatGPT itself may be most valuable not as a doctor or therapist but as an adjunct tool. It could handle administrative tasks like insurance documentation, or simulate standardized patients for medical students in training. These applications carry lower risks and could free up professionals to spend more time in direct care.

Why Using ChatGPT for Healthcare Is Both A Temptation and A Trap?

Why, then, are so many tempted to turn to ChatGPT for healthcare? Part of the answer lies in access. Millions lack affordable healthcare or mental health services, and AI seems to fill the gap. Another part lies in psychology: people trust confident voices, and ChatGPT is nothing if not confident.

But confidence is not competence. Without guardrails, users risk mistaking eloquent text for expert judgment. In health, that distinction matters profoundly.

AI chatbots represent one of the most exciting technological shifts in recent history. They are powerful, versatile, and often astonishing. But they are not a substitute for trained medical professionals. Using ChatGPT to draft a grocery list or outline an essay? Safe. Using it to decide whether a lump is cancerous or to guide you through a depressive episode? Risky at best, dangerous at worst.

The path forward requires balance. We should embrace the efficiencies AI can bring while holding firm to the principle that human health—whether physical or mental—requires human judgment. As the Stanford study reminds us, innovation should not come at the cost of safety.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, seek support from a licensed professional. In the United States, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988. No chatbot can take the place of that call.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, or mental health support.

One of the first impressions we make is from a person’s oral hygiene. How clean their teeth look, if they have any mouth odor, how they eat etc. However, did you know, that your mouth health could also make your heart diseases worse? Could they be the actual reason behind what triggered your heart disease?

New research suggests that the health of your mouth might be connected to the health of your heart. A study found that the fatty clogs in our arteries, known as plaques, often contain bacteria. This hints that a slow, ongoing inflammation caused by these bacteria and our body's reaction to them could be a major factor in heart disease.

According to the American Heart Association, the germs from your mouth can affect your heart? The same bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease can travel to other parts of your body, including your heart, potentially leading to serious health problems.

What Is The Connection Between Bacteria and Clogged Arteries?

Plaques are a buildup of fatty stuff inside your arteries, and this is a long-term problem caused by inflammation. For a long time, doctors have wondered if infections play a role in this process. While early studies were promising, giving antibiotics to people with heart disease didn't seem to help much.

This new study proposes a different idea: maybe certain bacteria form a protective "biofilm" inside the plaques, where they sit quietly and cause a low-level inflammation. This biofilm might hide the bacteria from our immune system and make them resistant to antibiotics. Over time, this quiet infection could turn a stable plaque into a dangerous one that could rupture and cause a heart attack.

How Does Oral Bacteria Affect Heart Health?

A type of bacteria called viridans streptococci has been found in these plaques. These bacteria normally live in our mouths and are involved in forming dental plaque. They often get into the bloodstream during dental procedures. The study found that:

• Over half of the plaques from the people studied contained bacteria.
• The most common type of bacteria was the one from the mouth, found in about 42% of the samples.
• The presence of these mouth bacteria was directly linked to severe artery problems and death from heart disease.

The research showed that these bacteria weren't just passing through the arteries; they were setting up a little community—a biofilm—inside the plaques. This biofilm acted like a shield, protecting the bacteria from our immune system.

But when a plaque breaks open, which is what causes a heart attack, the bacteria inside the biofilm get out. This triggers a huge immune response that can weaken the plaque's outer layer, leading to a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart.

Is This a New Way To Fight Heart Diseases?

The study concludes that these mouth bacteria are not harmless. Instead, a hidden, long-term bacterial infection in the form of a dormant biofilm may be what turns a stable plaque into a dangerous one. This finding highlights how important inflammation is in heart disease and could lead to new ways to diagnose and prevent it in the future.

Hair is one of the key aspects of a person’s look. A simple haircut can completely change the way you look. So, you can imagine how losing one’s hair can affect them. While it happens to many people, it can completely change the way they view themselves. Although it is a normal part of aging, many men face this challenge from a young age due to many reasons like genetics, male-patterned baldness etc.

While there are ways you can tackle major hair loss like hair transplant, not everyone can afford it. However, a new drug called PP405 might be a game-changer for baldness. Instead of just slowing down hair loss, this new topical drug actually helps "wake up" your hair follicles that have gone to sleep. In early tests, it showed promising results, making hair thicker for some people who used it. If this treatment works in bigger trials, it could be a whole new way to fight baldness.

How the New Hair Growth Drug Works?

The new drug, PP405, is a topical cream that you apply to the scalp. It's different from older treatments because it doesn't just try to slow down hair loss. Instead, it works by waking up the hair follicles that have become dormant, or "asleep." Scientists found that in many people with hair loss, the stem cells in their hair follicles aren't dead—they've just stopped working. This new drug specifically targets these dormant cells to get them growing hair again.

In an early study, led by dermatologist Qing Yu Christina Weng, MD, chief medical officer of Pelage Pharmaceuticals, the results were very promising: some patients saw their hair become more than 20% thicker. The new hair wasn't just thin, "baby hair"; it was thick, mature hair. A key safety feature is that the drug is designed to get into the skin where it's needed without being absorbed into the rest of the body.

Can You Regrow Hair With Medicine?

Dermatologists are excited about the new drug's potential because it offers a completely new way to treat hair loss. However, they are also being cautious. The study so far was small and short, and the results haven't been fully checked by other scientists yet. The drug still needs to go through much larger studies, which could take a few years.

Right now, the only FDA-approved treatments for hair loss are finasteride and a topical solution called minoxidil. While doctors sometimes use an oral version of minoxidil, these treatments don't work for everyone, especially for those with severe hair loss. This leaves many people with limited options, often turning to expensive and unproven treatments like special injections or lasers.

Does The New Hair Growth Drug Work?

If PP405 passes its larger trials, it could be a huge breakthrough. It would be the first new FDA-approved hair loss treatment in over 25 years. This could be especially helpful for people who have more severe hair loss and haven't had success with other medications.

The researchers also believe this drug might one day be used to treat other types of hair loss, such as hair thinning caused by certain medications or hormonal changes. However, experts say that before the drug is used for other conditions, it must be thoroughly tested in larger groups of people to prove it is safe and effective.

Your skincare shelf might be quietly sabotaging your glow—and you don’t even know it. Think about it: the same cream you swipe on at 7 a.m. is also applied at 11 p.m. But your skin isn’t static; it’s a living, breathing organ with different priorities depending on the time of day. Morning skin is on defense, battling sunlight, pollution, and blue light, while nighttime skin is in repair mode, regenerating and replenishing. Using the same products both times may be convenient, but convenience could come at the cost of healthier, radiant skin.

Skincare seems simple on the surface—wash, moisturize, repeat. Many of us follow the same routine morning and night, believing that if a product works once, it works all day. But according to dermatologist Dr. Vikram Lahoria, this approach may be doing more harm than good. Your skin operates on a circadian rhythm, and the way it behaves during the day differs significantly from its nighttime activities. Understanding these differences—and adjusting your routine accordingly can be the difference between healthy, glowing skin and clogged pores, premature aging, or irritation.

How Your Morning Skincare Is A Shield?

Dr. Lahoria explains, “During the day, your skin is exposed to sunlight, pollution, dust, and even the blue light from screens. Its main role is protection. That’s why your morning routine should focus on creating a barrier against these environmental stressors.”

A typical morning routine starts with a gentle cleanser to remove oils and sweat accumulated overnight. This is followed by a light, hydrating moisturizer that won’t feel greasy or clog pores. The most crucial step in your AM routine is sunscreen. No matter the weather, SPF shields your skin from UV rays, reducing the risk of premature aging, pigmentation, and even skin cancer.

Adding an antioxidant serum, particularly one with vitamin C, can further protect against free radicals generated by pollution and UV exposure. “Think of it as giving your skin armor before stepping into the world,” says Dr. Lahoria.

How Your Night Skincare Is To Heal and Recharge?

Once the sun sets and the day winds down, your skin switches gears. “Nighttime is when your skin works hardest to repair itself,” Dr. Lahoria notes. Without sunlight and environmental stressors, skin cells can focus on regeneration and replenishment.

Night creams and serums are designed to support this process. Ingredients like retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid target fine lines, improve texture, and lock in moisture. A thorough cleanse is essential before applying these products to remove makeup, sweat, and dirt that could block pores overnight.

“Nighttime is when your skin absorbs products most efficiently. The lack of UV exposure means potent actives like retinol can work without the risk of sun-induced irritation,” explains Dr. Lahoria.

Why Using the Same Products All Day Can Backfire?

Using identical products morning and night ignores the skin’s shifting priorities. “It’s like feeding your body the same meal for breakfast and dinner,” says Dr. Lahoria. “In the morning, your skin needs protection. At night, it needs repair. One product cannot optimally serve both functions.”

Daytime exposure to retinoids or AHAs, for instance, can increase sensitivity to sunlight, potentially causing irritation, pigmentation, or damage. Conversely, using sunscreen at night is unnecessary, and while it won’t harm your skin, it doesn’t contribute to repair either. Tailoring your routine ensures that ingredients work when they are most effective, rather than canceling each other out or creating unintended side effects.

Why The Order of Products Is Important?

Timing is not the only consideration—the order in which you apply your skincare products matters too. Dr. Lahoria advises layering from thinnest to thickest. This ensures lightweight serums penetrate deeply before being sealed in by heavier creams or oils. Incorrect layering can hinder absorption or even reduce the efficacy of active ingredients.

For example, a vitamin C serum should be applied before moisturizer, while a heavier night cream should go last. By following this approach, each product can work as intended, maximizing benefits without waste or interference.

Personalising Your Routine to Your Skin’s Clock

Your skin, like your body, has a circadian rhythm. During the day, its priority is defense; at night, it focuses on repair. “Ever wonder why your skin behaves differently in the morning than it does at night? That’s your internal clock at work,” Dr. Lahoria points out.

Adjusting your routine according to this natural rhythm ensures your skin gets the right nutrients at the right time. In the morning, protect; at night, repair. Over time, this approach improves skin health, prevents premature aging, and enhances the results from the products you invest in.

Morning and Night Routine Tips

Dr. Lahoria summarizes an effective framework:

Morning:

• Gentle cleanser to remove overnight oils
• Light moisturizer for hydration
• SPF to protect against UV damage
• Optional antioxidant serum for pollution defense

Night:

• Thorough cleanse to remove dirt, makeup, and pollutants
• Serums or creams containing retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, or glycolic acid
• Night cream to lock in moisture and support cell repair

Following these guidelines ensures that your skin is supported according to its natural needs, rather than treated with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Skincare is not just about selecting the “right” products—it’s also about using them at the right time. Dr. Lahoria concludes, “Your morning and evening routines should act like a tag team. Each plays its role in protecting, repairing, and energizing your skin. Your clock isn’t just ticking, it’s guiding your glow.”

By understanding your skin’s natural cycles, choosing the right ingredients for day and night, and applying them in the correct order, you ensure your skin remains healthy, radiant, and resilient—without unnecessary irritation or damage.

Dr. Vikram Lahoria is a consultant dermatologist and medical advisor at Ceuticoz in India