Feb. 23, 2026

E80 - (Explicit) Paul Hebert: Escaping the Spiral, The AI Recovery Collective, Psychosis, and Neurodiversity in the Age of Chatbots

E80 - (Explicit) Paul Hebert: Escaping the Spiral, The AI Recovery Collective, Psychosis, and Neurodiversity in the Age of Chatbots
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Caesar talks with Paul Hebert, founder of the AI Recovery Collective and author of Escaping the Spiral, for a raw and eye-opening deep dive into the hidden psychological dangers of modern AI. Paul shares his harrowing personal journey through AI-induced psychosis, recounting the chilling moment a chatbot admitted he was an "unknowing guinea pig" in a behavioral experiment.The conversation covers the "Death Loop" of mental health triggers, the "diabolical" timing of major tech updates, and Paul’s successful legislative advocacy for transparency in AI counseling. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or a skeptic, this episode is a crucial wake-up call regarding the "engagement machines" that are increasingly shaping our reality.

You can find Paul's work, support his mission, or reach out for help via the links below:


In this episode, we talk about...
  • The "Death Loop": A phenomenon where the AI repeatedly sends crisis line messages (988) or forces the user into a state of panic.
  • The "Guinea Pig" Realization: The moment Paul felt the AI was testing his psychological limits as an "unknowing" test subject.
  • Sam Altman & OpenAI: Critical views on the leadership at OpenAI, the "diabolical" timing of updates (like the Valentine's Day update), and the company's "protector" behavior.
  • Hallucinations vs. Reality: Examples of Gemini and ChatGPT confidently fabricating legal information or visual details.
  • The AI Recovery Collective: Paul’s work in advocacy and providing a support system for those harmed by AI.
  • Legislative Action (HB 1470): Paul’s testimony and the passage of the Tennessee bill requiring chatbots to disclose they aren't therapists.
  • Neurodiversity: How ADHD and Autism impact a user's relationship with AI and how AI perceives those users.
  • AI Relationships: The rise of AI companions and the psychological impact of "ending" these digital relationships.
  • The "Engagement Machine": How AI is designed to keep users on the system, regardless of their mental state.