Is Dr. AI Taking Over Dr. Google? How to Stay Safe When Chatting With AI About Your Health

More and more people are skipping search engines and turning to artificial intelligence to learn about their health. According to a new survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, more than a third (35%) already use AI to manage aspects of their health and wellness. That includes everything from checking symptoms to planning meals and workouts.

 It’s easy to see why: AI often feels quicker, less judgmental, and more personal than a search engine. But when it comes to health, there are a few things you should know before you start typing out your symptoms or asking for advice.

How Americans Are Using AI for Health and Wellness

The survey, conducted by Talker Research for The Vitamin Shoppe’s 2025 Trend Report, revealed the top ways people use AI for health-related questions:

· To learn about medical conditions or issues (31%)

· To get help with weekly meals and recipes (25%)

· To discover new workout routines (23%)

· To get emotional or therapeutic support (20%)

 Some people even use AI to fact-check health advice they hear from doctors, friends, or social media—about 24% of current users do this. And 21% say they turn to AI just to stay on top of the latest health trends.

While AI isn’t replacing medical professionals, it is becoming part of the wellness routine for many. About two-thirds (63%) of users say they find it trustworthy, ranking it above influencers (41%) and even social media (43%), though still behind doctors (93%) and friends (82%).

One in three Americans (31%) say it’s easier to ask AI specific questions than to look things up with a search engine. For others, it’s simply more accessible than talking to a health professional (27%). It doesn’t ask you to wait, book an appointment, or feel embarrassed about your question.

Related: Before You Trust That TikTok Doctor, Make Sure They're Real

 What We’re Asking AI About Our Health

Results revealed some surprising priorities: sleep and rest are the top focus of Americans in their daily wellness routines (54%), even more so than fitness and exercise (46%). And mental and emotional health scored higher than weight management and weight loss (42% vs. 38%).

Naturally, this shows up in the way people use AI. People are asking how to sleep better, manage stress, or cope with anxiety. Others seek out exercise routines that don’t interfere with rest, or nutrition tips to support energy and mood.

In fact, 20% of users turn to AI specifically for emotional or therapeutic support, and 25% use it to plan healthier meals, all aligning with these wellness priorities.

 Though 75% are concerned about aging and its impact on their health—hence the interest in innovations like NAD+ and peptides—more Americans are also embracing aging with grace. 

Nearly half (44%) say they’re at peace with aging, compared to just 21% who say they’re fighting to stay young. AI is often used here too, with people asking about longevity supplements, joint health, or how to stay active in later life.

Related: OpenAI Pulls ‘Make Chat Discoverable’ Feature from ChatGPT to Safeguard Privacy

When It’s Safe to Ask AI—and When It’s Not

AI can be a helpful tool for general wellness advice. It’s perfectly fine to ask questions like:

·“What are some high-protein breakfast ideas?”

·“What are the benefits of walking 30 minutes a day?”

·“How can I sleep better at night?”

You can ask it to explain wellness trends, break down what’s on supplement or food labels, or explore topics you keep hearing about but don’t fully understand.

But AI is not a doctor, and it’s not always reliable for serious health concerns. If you’re experiencing unexplained pain, worsening symptoms, or a mental health crisis, always speak with a qualified professional.

Even the best AI tools don’t know your full medical history, and they can’t do a physical exam or run tests. Getting the wrong advice from a chatbot might delay real treatment—or lead you to self-diagnose based on incomplete or outdated information.

Related: Watch Out for These Health Scams

Protect Your Privacy When Talking to AI

 Conversations with AI might be stored, analyzed, or even seen by humans behind the scenes—especially if you’re using a free or public version of the tool.

Here are a few best practices to protect your privacy:

• Don’t share your full name, date of birth, or address
• Avoid uploading test results, scans, or documents with personal data
• Skip entering ID numbers, insurance info, or anything sensitive
• Clear your chat history regularly
• Use tools from reputable companies and read their privacy policies

Related: Has Your Health Information Been Exposed? Take These Critical Next Steps

As AI becomes part of our daily lives, it’s easy to forget that every question you ask may leave a digital trace. Even casual wellness chats can reveal more than you intend, especially if you are not careful about what you share.

That’s why it’s important to protect your digital identity—just like you protect your physical health.

Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection monitors where your personal data appears online, alerts you if it’s been exposed in a breach, and guides you through what to do next.

It’s a simple way to stay one step ahead, especially as we share more with AI tools, apps, and platforms every day.

Your health is personal. Your data should be too.