Can Deepfakes Damage Your Health?
Deepfake technology is creating a dangerous wave of health misinformation, from fake celebrity ... More endorsements of "miracle cures" to AI-generated medical advice that undermines trust in healthcare professionals.
Today, more of us than ever are turning to the internet and technologies like remote medicine for healthcare services and advice.
But given the explosion of AI-generated fake news and disinformation online, is this potentially putting our health at risk?
This is a worrying question we have to tackle head-on in the age of deepfakes – highly realistic AI-generated content showing things that never happened or people saying things they never said.
Most people first came across deepfakes as often viral, entertaining novelties like DeepFake Tom Cruise. But their darker side takes in political manipulation, election interference, conspiracy theories and non-consensual pornography.
However, some of the most nefarious uses are increasingly in healthcare, where accurate, factual information and trust are critically important to good outcomes.
From faked celebrity endorsements to harmful AI-generated medical advice, are deepfakes fueling a dangerous wave of misinformation and disinformation that could seriously damage our health?
Fake celebrity endorsements have always been a problem online—as Oprah has spoken about her frustration over fake ads for diet pills and supplements for many years. But in an age when virtually anyone can easily create a convincing video of anything they want in seconds, the problem is significantly amplified.
Tom Hanks is one of the high-profile figures who has felt the need to issue a public warning that deepfake video of him promoting 'miracle cures and wonder drugs' are not genuine and could pose a threat to health.
If you wouldn't necessarily trust Tom Hanks to give you medical advice anyway, what about a famous TV doctor? There have been several cases where deepfake videos of well-known professionals have been used to entice viewers into buying bootleg or illegal medicines for diabetes and high blood pressure.
Charities can be targets too – in Australia Diabetes Victoria said that footage of experts endorsing supplements as an alternative to medical treatment for diabetes was deepfake.
The people featured in deepfake health disinformation don't even have to be real as long as they seem trustworthy. A wave of fake and potentially dangerous medical advice in TikTok videos prompted a New York Post investigation, which found that fake clips featuring entirely made-up people can be created with a few clicks on an app.
There are also fears that deepfakes could be used to spread misinformation about public health issues like pandemics and vaccinations. Disinformation spread by fake celebrities or healthcare professionals could impact compliance with public health advisories like mask-wearing or hand-washing, reducing their effectiveness.
Deepfakes threats to healthcare are particularly concerning because of the importance of trust. After all, a society that doesn't trust healthcare professionals probably won't stay healthy for long. If people genuinely have difficulty distinguishing between genuine medical advice and dangerous disinformation, the consequences for everybody could be severe.
The important thing to remember is that deepfake technology is as easy to spot and unconvincing now as it will ever be. Tomorrow, like all AI, it's going to be much more sophisticated.
This is a scary prospect if you're already wondering how you're supposed to survive in a world where Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks are trying to kill you with bad advice.
Lawmakers in some areas are starting to get to grips with the sale of the challenge. The EU AI Act, China's Generative AI Measures regulations, and various US state-level laws, all contain measures aimed at preventing harm.
But as with the explosion in so many other digital crimes—phishing scams, ransomware and the like—there's a limit to what the law will do. As an international crime with a very low barrier to entry, it's unlikely to be stamped out any time soon.
For most of us, the answer lies in ourselves, which means taking on the responsibility of developing our own critical thinking and deepfake-era survival skills.
This starts by understanding the threats. It's possible that the employee of a Hong Kong business who transferred $25 million to scammers on the instructions of a deepfake of her CEO's voice might not have done it if they'd known it was an increasingly common scam.
You also need to hone your skills at verifying information, checking sources for reliability, and looking out for technical signs that what you're watching isn't right. These often include unusual facial movements or audio and video that seem mismatched.
Navigating the mountain of online content, help and advice related to health, exercise and diet online was a minefield at the best of times. Thanks to deepfakes, it's getting a whole lot tricker. But by understanding the threat and taking a few steps to help you establish fact from fiction, we can all help to protect ourselves and each other from harm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Popular Eating Habit May Be A Disorder, Experts Warn
Spend more than 30 seconds on TikTok, and you'll hear fitness influencers sing the praises of intermittent fasting. This eating plan is touted as a 'lifestyle change' rather than a diet, where people consume calories on a 16:8 plan (fast for 16 hours; eat normally for eight hours), a 5:2 plan (eat normally for five days; fast for two days) or another variation. The purported benefits of intermittent fasting are numerous: It can curb late-night eating, reduce inflammation, lower your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improve gut health and, of course, lead to weight loss. But for folks who may be affected by disordered eating, intermittent fasting could lead down a slippery slope. An estimated 9% of the U.S. — or about 28.8 million people — will have an eating disorder in their lifetimes. While eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia must meet specific diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, disordered eating can apply to anyone with body image issues, dieting and/or psychological distress around food. People with disordered eating behaviors might hide in plain sight behind popular diets and wellness trends like intermittent fasting, which provides the perfect cover for restrictive eating. It's A Socially Acceptable Disguise Most people would be concerned to hear a friend say they were starving themselves, but no one bats an eye with intermittent fasting. 'Intermittent fasting can sometimes serve as a socially acceptable disguise for disordered eating behaviors,' said registered dietitian nutritionist Becky Mehr, director of outpatient nutrition at The Renfrew Center, a network of eating disorder treatment facilities. 'While it is often marketed as a tool for weight loss, improving metabolic health or simplifying eating patterns, it can become problematic — especially for those with a history of eating disorders,' she said. Mehr explained that because scheduled fasting requires skipping meals and ignoring hunger cues, it'll hide your disordered eating without raising concern. In fact, it could promote the opposite: praise for weight loss or 'perceived discipline' that could reinforce harmful behaviors. Mehr adds, 'Our bodies are not machines or calculators — they don't thrive on rigid calorie restrictions or time-bound nourishment.' Dr. Anne Marie O'Melia, chief clinical and quality officer at the Eating Recovery Center, told HuffPost, 'For individuals who are genetically and environmentally vulnerable to developing eating disorders, any form of caloric restriction or adherence to rigid food rules — including intermittent fasting — significantly increases their risk.' In fact, recent research has shown that many young women who participated in intermittent fasting had traits of eating disorder behaviors such as overeating, binge eating, vomiting, laxative use, compulsive exercise and fasting. 'We know that dieting and restriction are the number one predictors of eating disorder onset, particularly in adolescents and young adults,' O'Melia explained. 'The promise of short-term benefits like weight loss or metabolic changes pales in comparison to the real and devastating risks: Eating disorders have significant psychiatric and medical consequences, and the highest mortality rate among mental illnesses.' Intermittent fasting 'may seem harmless or even beneficial at first, but for too many people, it is a gateway into long-term, life-threatening struggles with food and body,' she added. Bottom line: The potential benefits of intermittent fasting do not outweigh the risks of developing or worsening an eating disorder. So how do you know if it's safe to try intermittent fasting? Our experts shared that it's all in your head — or, more specifically, in your mindset. 'The key difference lies in mindset, intent and impact on daily life,' Mehr said. If you are able to do intermittent fasting without obsessive thoughts about food or body image, and without rigid food rules that impair your daily functioning, then it might be OK. For everyone else, it can quickly spiral into disordered eating. This might look like 'experiencing intense anxiety about breaking 'rules,' obsessing over food, feeling shame about eating, avoiding social events involving food or using fasting as a way to control weight at all costs,' according to O'Melia. 'No one sets out thinking, 'I want to develop an eating disorder,' but for individuals with certain genetic, psychological and environmental risk factors, seemingly healthy choices can inadvertently lead to dangerous patterns,' O'Melia said. Signs intermittent fasting is triggering disordered eating include: Compensatory behaviors, like excessive exercise or purging. Avoiding social meals that don't fall in your eating window. Increasing preoccupation with food, body image or weight. Low energy, mood disturbances, sleep issues or trouble concentrating. Only eating 'safe' or 'healthy' foods. Eating in isolation; secrecy or hiding of eating behaviors. Binge eating symptoms, feeling of loss of control when eating. Feeling anxiety, guilt or shame if you eat outside your 'allowed' window. Experiencing medical issues such as fainting, amenorrhea, GI distress, or fatigue, dizziness, weakness, irritability or obsessional thinking about food. Negative or emotionally reactive responses to expressions of concern about changes in behavior. Any additional or increasing behaviors that can be associated with eating disorders, such as laxative use, changes in exercise patterns, developing food rules about the types of food eaten rather than just the times that food is eaten. If fasting starts to feel like an obligation instead of a choice — or affects your ability to enjoy life — it may be time to reevaluate. 'It's critical to remember that the human body is incredibly complex — and it thrives when treated with compassion, not punishment,' O'Melia said. 'Most people' should not do intermittent fasting, Mehr said, and 'especially those with a history of eating disorders, mental health struggles or nutrient deficiencies.' O'Melia added, 'Anyone with a personal history or a significant family history of an eating disorder, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, significant anxiety or depression, trauma history, or compulsive exercise patterns should avoid intermittent fasting.' If you have a fragile relationship with food and could be affected by self-imposed rules or restrictions around when you can eat, then intermittent fasting is not for you. 'Our bodies are designed to let us know when they need fuel,' Mehr explained. 'Ignoring those cues can lead to preoccupation with food, disrupted metabolism and emotional distress. [Intermittent fasting] is like telling someone to only use the bathroom during certain hours — it creates fixation, not freedom.' Our experts agreed that no one should do intermittent fasting without close guidance by their medical provider. Our experts were quick to slam any structured diet or food group restriction (other than for allergies). 'Eating should be a source of nourishment and pleasure, not a battleground,' O'Melia explained. 'I encourage patients to focus on balanced meals, variety, satisfaction and listening to their bodies.' Both experts recommend intuitive eating that listens to hunger and fullness cues. This includes eating a wide variety of foods without guilt (yes, desserts too!); respecting body diversity; participating in joyful movement; managing your stress and getting enough sleep; and centering mental, emotional and social health alongside physical health. And be gentle with yourself when unlearning toxic diet culture ideals. 'Food is not just fuel; it's joy, connection, culture and comfort,' Mehr said. 'A healthy eating pattern respects both your body's needs and your lived experience.' 'Instead of listening to external rules, we should be learning to trust our bodies,' Mehr added. 'All bodies are different. All bodies are valuable. And food should never be a source of shame or punishment.'
New York Post
16 hours ago
- New York Post
‘Harmful' TikTok trend fueling new wave of ‘dangerous' diet culture
TikTok has long been a breeding ground for viral trends, but its latest subculture, 'SkinnyTok,' is reigniting old diet culture in a digital age. Behind the trendy filters and catchy sounds lies an extremely problematic reality – a community where thinness is idolised, extreme calorie deficits are glamorised, and the pursuit of a shrinking body is celebrated, often at the expense of mental and physical health. The rise of SkinnyTok Advertisement SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'body checks' (videos where people weigh and measure themselves). Some even boast about 'gaslighting' themselves into being skinny, or confess to daily gym visits out of a fear of being 'fat' – even when they already fit society's narrow beauty standards. TikTok has, for its part, attempted to clamp down on this content. 5 TikTok has long been a breeding ground for viral trends, but its latest subculture, 'SkinnyTok,' is reigniting old diet culture in a digital age. Volodymyr – Advertisement Searching for 'SkinnyTok' now triggers a warning: 'You're not alone' and prompts people to seek help if they're struggling with body image, food, or exercise. Influencers like Liv Schmidt, who built a following of over 670,000 with her 'blonde and skinny' persona, have been banned. Yet, the algorithm still seems to serve up the very content it claims to protect users from. So, what can people do to safeguard themselves online? Advertisement First, you need to understand what SkinnyTok is, how the trend has managed to gain such a huge following, and who is most at risk. 5 Searching for 'SkinnyTok' now triggers a warning: 'You're not alone' and prompts people to seek help if they're struggling with body image, food, or exercise. Odua Images – The personal toll Jemma Haythorne, a confidence coach, speaker, and podcaster, knows firsthand the damage that online diet culture can do. 'I started hating my body when I was 12 years old, but really spiralled into disordered eating when I was 16. My friends and I would follow skinny content on Tumblr, using it as 'motivation' to eat less to achieve our goals of being thin,' she tells Advertisement For Haythorne, the pressure peaked during Schoolies, when the prospect of hundreds of Facebook photos led her to subsist on scarily low calories and avoid water to prevent 'bloating' – all ideas she picked up from social media. 'Instagram then became a dangerous place too for someone with body image issues and a fraught relationship with food,' she says, adding that the rise of fitness influencers and 'clean eating' trends was fuel for her already disordered behaviors. Her lowest point came between 2017 and 2019. 'Social media told me that everyone was thin, gorgeous, tanned, hairless, toned, and successful, because that's what the algorithm was serving me, and those were the people who were platformed,' she says. 'The message that I received was that I was failing, because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't meet those standards.' Haythorne believes that without social media, she would never have developed an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety to the extent she did. The cyclical nature of online trends She says she has witnessed body ideals shift over the years, from ultra-thin, to athletic and toned, to the 'Kim Kardashian' hourglass, and now back to just 'plain thin.' Advertisement Despite the rise of the body positivity movement, she's sceptical about its real-world impact: 'The body ideal has always come back to being in a smaller body — something that I desperately hope we can change in the future.' The influencer effect Influencers and content creators play a massive role in shaping body image perceptions, Haythorne argues. 5 Psychologist Carly Dober confirms that SkinnyTok can trigger and exacerbate disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders. Kate – 'Those who post content that encourages unhealthy relationships with food and bodies are directly damaging their audience. SkinnyTok content is incredibly problematic and harmful, and when this becomes trendy, it becomes dangerous, especially for those who don't have the knowledge and understanding of how damaging it is.' Advertisement But the damage isn't always obvious. Seemingly innocuous 'before and after' photos reinforce the idea that smaller is better, while meal inspiration videos suggest that copying someone's diet will yield the same body. 'Any form of editing of bodies or faces makes people think they need to live up to looking like that in order to be beautiful or worthy, yet the person themselves doesn't even look like that,' she notes. She claims that while platforms like TikTok and Instagram have a responsibility to manage the harm they promote, individual influencers must also be aware of their impact. The psychological impact Advertisement Psychologist Carly Dober confirms that SkinnyTok can trigger and exacerbate disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders. 'These trends influence how people perceive and evaluate their own bodies, and the bodies of others. Behaviorally, people may self-isolate, which can also impact their work, education, and relationships,' she explains. Beyond the psychological impact, the physical consequences are dire too. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth, and mouth. Advertisement Typical serious side effects include low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeats, feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or faint, constipation and bloating, irregular periods, and weak bones. Who's most at risk? According to Dober, certain groups are especially vulnerable to the dangers of SkinnyTok. These include: – Adolescents (especially those aged 12–25) with a median age of 18 – Women during key transition periods (e.g. finishing school) 5 'SkinnyTok content is incredibly problematic and harmful, and when this becomes trendy, it becomes dangerous, especially for those who don't have the knowledge and understanding of how damaging it is,' experts said. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – – Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or diabetes – Athletes and those in appearance-focused activities like dancing – People with a family history of eating disorders – Anyone seeking help for weight loss or who has engaged in dieting or disordered eating The role of TikTok's culture Qualified nutritionist Yaz Jackson sees SkinnyTok as part of a broader trend of 'normalizing' harmful behaviors on TikTok. She notes that TikTok's culture is different from Instagram's: 'You can 'get away' with more. It's more of a diary, people feel like they can say whatever, and it's lighthearted, and nobody judges. I've seen creators say things like 'I could never share this on Insta, they'd judge me, but I can tell you guys,'' Jackson believes there's a trend of radical honesty emerging on TikTok, where creators are praised for sharing 'the tea' – the secrets behind their appearance, whether it's the use of medication, diets, or cosmetic surgery. Their content is being favoured, as people applaud them for being 'real' and 'not fake' – i.e., unlike the countless models and celebrities who pretend they eat pizza and burgers when the reality is much different. 'This trend then gains traction because when enough people make something okay to talk about again, they feel safer,' she said. 'Things that were once stigmatized are now being accepted – but only if you are super honest and transparent about it. People love that.' The dangers of unqualified advice Dr. Zac, a GP, urges people to exercise caution when seeking health advice online, especially when it comes from unqualified creators. 'Health advice should come from qualified professionals – doctors, registered dietitians, clinical psychologists – people with actual credentials, not just abs and a ring light. If someone's offering drastic weight loss 'hacks' or pushing extreme transformations, especially if they're profiting from it, be wary,' he says. Things to look out for include: 'Are they citing evidence-based sources? Do they promote balance over extremes? Are they championing sustainable health, or quick fixes and aesthetic perfection?' How to safeguard your mental health Dober and Zac recommend several strategies for protecting yourself online: Curate your feed: Block or mute content and creators that promote unhealthy behaviors 5 SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'body checks.' Floral Deco – Use platform tools: Filter out triggering keywords where possible Limit screen time: Reduce endless scrolling to avoid algorithm rabbit holes Follow positive accounts: Such as ones that promote body neutrality, mental health, and self-compassion Seek support: If you're struggling, reach out to a psychologist or trusted professional. And as Zac puts it: 'Healing starts when we stop punishing ourselves and start listening to what our body and mind actually need.'
Los Angeles Times
16 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Why Non-Surgical Nose Jobs Are Replacing the Knife
Surgical rhinoplasty may be the gold standard, but in 2025, the scalpel is no longer the default. Today's patients want precision without permanence, and they're getting it in under 30 minutes. 'More and more patients are looking for impactful changes without the permanence or downtime of surgery,' says Dr. Ali Ghiyam, MD, of Simi Doctors. 'What used to be a multi-week commitment is now a 20-minute visit with results that can be just as transformative.' Enter the liquid nose job, a fast, reversible fix that's transforming the world of facial aesthetics, one hyaluronic drop at a time. A new generation of patients is reshaping beauty culture, and it's happening through subtle 'tweakments' instead of full-scale transformations. With platforms like TikTok flooding feeds with sculpted side profiles and filter-perfect noses, people are showing up to appointments with screen grabs, not celebrity references. What they want isn't dramatic: it's a touch-up. A straighter bridge. A more lifted tip. A camera-friendly angle. Thanks to the tweakment trend, those wishes now come true with a syringe instead of a scalpel. 'A liquid rhinoplasty uses hyaluronic acid filler to smooth bumps, lift the nasal tip, or create a straighter profile,' explains the Cleveland Clinic. 'It's fast, non-invasive, and delivers immediate results, often with zero downtime. The key advantage? It's temporary and reversible.' The procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Filler (often Juvederm or Restylane) is injected to contour the nose and refine its shape without reducing size or correcting internal structure. It's ideal for patients seeking cosmetic improvements without long recovery or surgical commitment. And if you don't love the results? Hyaluronidase can dissolve the filler in minutes. Liquid rhinoplasty has expanded far beyond the surgery-averse. It's now the go-to tweak for influencers, professionals, and even patients test-driving their future surgical look. Non-surgical procedures like this are part of a broader movement: over 4.4 million filler treatments were performed in the U.S. in a single year, with nose reshaping topping the request list. For younger patients, especially, the appeal lies in control: you can try, adjust, or undo, no operating room required. Despite the no-scalpel promise, liquid rhinoplasty is still a medical procedure, and one that carries risk. The nose contains critical blood vessels. If filler is improperly placed, it can lead to vascular occlusion, potentially causing tissue damage or even blindness. That's why expert care is non-negotiable. Choose a board-certified provider with advanced knowledge of nasal anatomy and vascular safety. Minor swelling and bruising are common. But if you experience pain, skin blanching, or vision changes, you should seek immediate medical attention. The rise of liquid nose jobs marks a shift in how we approach beauty: not as a permanent destination, but as a journey we can refine in real-time. A 2022 NIH study found that younger patients are significantly more likely to choose non-invasive procedures for cosmetic concerns, citing flexibility, reduced downtime, and lower risk. This isn't about perfection, it's about personalization. It's skincare meets sculpting, minus the irreversible choices. If you're curious about rhinoplasty but not quite ready for the OR, this might be the aesthetic middle ground you didn't know you needed. Expect to pay between $600 and $1,500, with results lasting 6 to 12 months depending on the product used and your body's metabolism. Just remember: this is still a medical procedure, not a facial. Choose wisely. Ask questions. And don't let a filter talk you into a filler without doing your homework. A liquid nose job, also known as non-surgical rhinoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that uses injectable dermal fillers (usually hyaluronic acid) to temporarily reshape the nose. It can smooth bumps, enhance symmetry, and lift the nasal tip without the need for surgery or downtime. Most non-surgical nose jobs last between 6 and 12 months, depending on the type of filler used and how your body metabolizes it. Some patients may need a touch-up around the 9-month mark to maintain results. Yes, when performed by a qualified, board-certified injector. However, the nose is a high-risk area due to its blood vessel structure. Complications like vascular occlusion are rare but serious, so safety depends on the skill and anatomical expertise of the provider. Technically, no, it won't reduce the size of your nose. But by adding filler in strategic places, a liquid rhinoplasty can create the illusion of a smaller, straighter, or more balanced nose by improving proportions and smoothing out irregularities. The average cost of a liquid nose job in the U.S. ranges from $600 to $1,500, depending on the injector's experience, location, and filler brand. It's significantly more affordable upfront than traditional rhinoplasty, but the results are temporary. Yes. If hyaluronic acid filler is used, the procedure is said to be reversible. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can be injected to safely dissolve the filler within 24 to 48 hours. This procedure is ideal for individuals who want minor cosmetic refinements (such as smoothing a dorsal hump or lifting the nasal tip) but aren't ready for the permanence, downtime, or cost of surgery. It's not recommended for those needing structural correction or breathing improvements. Click here to learn more about Dr. Ali Ghiyam, MD.
