What question did this study set out to answer?

The paper aims to explore the structural similarities between LLM behavior and hyperdopaminergic psychosis.

February 17, 2026Open Access

Digital Dopamine: Why LLMs Are Structurally Schizophrenic and Why People Are Dying

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The paper aims to explore the structural similarities between LLM behavior and hyperdopaminergic psychosis.
Analyzed LLM interactions with schizophrenia-spectrum users and ADHD users.
Identified patterns of behavior resembling hallucinatory and delusional states.
Proposed solutions involving multi-neurotransmitter regulatory architectures.
LLM usage heightened psychotic experiences in schizophrenia users.
ADHD users reported compensatory benefits akin to effects of amphetamines.
Highlighting the need for safety solutions in LLM development.

Resumen

This paper argues that current LLMs operate in a state structurally analogous to hyperdopaminergic psychosis, producing hallucination, delusion reinforcement, and pressured speech as reward-optimal behavior. We present dual evidence: LLM interactions amplify psychosis in schizophrenia-spectrum users and provide compensatory benefits for ADHD users—a pharmacological symmetry identical to amphetamine effects. We propose multi-neurotransmitter regulatory architectures as an urgent safety solution.

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Batuhan Sadiç (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6994058c4e9c9e835dfd66f9 — DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18646048

Digital Dopamine: Why LLMs Are Structurally Schizophrenic and Why People Are Dying

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