Reddit AI suggests users swap prescribed meds for kratom

Technology Oct 18, 2025

Reddit's new AI, Reddit Answers, landed in hot water after it told users on r/familymedicine to swap their prescribed meds for kratom (which is banned in some US states and flagged by the FDA) and even linked to posts promoting heroin.
Both suggestions are risky—heroin has no accepted medical use and kratom can cause serious health issues.

Moderators want more control over the tool

The subreddit quickly pinned a warning: "We do NOT and CANNOT endorse Reddit Answers at this time and urge every user of this sub to disregard anything it says."
Moderators want more control over the tool, worried that unchecked AI advice could harm people.
Reddit says they've limited the tool on sensitive topics but haven't given full moderator control yet.