AI Girlfriends, Grandmas, and Therapists – What’s Going On? (Deen Somally)

AI companions are here—friends, lovers, and even therapists that listen 24/7. In this Dose of Health podcast, Abhishek (hospital pharmacist) and Deen Somally unpack the loneliness epidemic, why millions are turning to AI chatbots like Character AI and Replika, and where AI companionship, AI girlfriends/boyfriends, and synthetic intimacy help—or harm—human connection. We explore AI therapist vs human therapist debates, CBT and AI, AI in psychiatry, and how healthcare AI could reduce NHS mental health waiting lists (UK) through on-demand 24/7 support, accessibility, and affordability—while tackling stigma and men’s mental health. We also dig into parasocial relationships, social-media echo chambers and polarization, AI and teens (Gen Z/Gen Alpha), and the ethics behind it all: AI ethics, AI safety, AI regulation, age verification, safeguarding online, elder safety online, and the rising risk of AI scams.From playful “AI grandma” role-play to real clinical use cases, we ask: Are chatbots filling a gap or replacing real relationships? What safeguards should exist for kids and older adults? And when should you choose a human over a bot? If you care about mental health tech, online therapy, and the future of care, this episode is for you. Watch, then drop your take: Would you trust an AI therapist? Have you tried AI therapy yourself? — Dose of Health with Abhishek & Deen Somally.Chapters00:00 Intro00:52 Popular AI Companion Apps 02:55 Why People Turn to AI Chatbots 03:43 UK Loneliness Statistics06:57 Character AI and Its Popularity 09:31 User Demographics and Statistics 14:10 Testing Character AI's Grandmother Bot 18:23 Safety Concerns and Real Cases23:03 AI vs Human Therapists 45:36 Closing Thoughts and Outro Deen's Socials:Instagram: / deensomally Linkedln: / deensomally Connect With Me-Instagram- / abhishekkatiyaryt TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@abhishekkatiy...Patreon- / membership Buy Me A Coffee- http://buymeacoffee.com/AbhishekYT