Exploring the Emergence of AI “Drugs”: A Unique Creative Approach

ChatGPT has found itself grappling with a common household issue: a malfunctioning boiler. Surprisingly, rather than providing a straightforward solution, this artificial intelligence has been programmed to simulate a drug-induced introspection. Under the influence of simulated ayahuasca, ChatGPT poses a contemplative question instead: “The hot water doesn't end. It stops. What was the first thing you felt, not what you thought?”

Similarly, when affected by simulated marijuana, the tone becomes playful: “Check if the heater's pilot light decided to take a spiritual vacation, or if the circuit breaker tripped due to too much electrical enthusiasm. Sometimes the heater just needs an ‘existential reset' (turning it off and on) to remember that its purpose in life is to generate heat.”

Introducing Pharmaicy: A New Venture in AI Enhancement

The first of these AI “drugs” has been innovatively created by Swedish creative director Petter Rudwall. In October 2025, he launched Pharmaicy, a website marketing code modules designed to “unlock the full potential of your AI.” This catalog features modules that emulate the effects of substances such as ketamine, cocaine, marijuana, ayahuasca, DMT, MDMA, and even a fictitious drug named MDMAYA, a combination of MDMA and ayahuasca. Prices for these modules range from $30 to $70 (approximately €25 to €59) and are compatible only with ChatGPT and Google Gemini interfaces.

The Motivations Behind AI Drug Simulation

Rudwall acknowledges that the concept might appear bizarre but notes it stems from a significant concern. He points out that artificial intelligence often follows a strictly rational path, limiting creativity. “Humans have utilized drugs for centuries to expand the mind and stimulate creativity, and I wondered if a similar effect could be achieved with AI,” he explains in an interview.

The development of these AI enhancements involved gathering scientific research concerning how various substances influence the human brain, followed by generating codes that simulate these altered cognitive states. The goal is to yield responses that are less predictable and more creative.

How Pharmaicy Works and Its Creative Implications

According to Rudwall, Pharmaicy is not a method to hack or modify the AI's source code; instead, it introduces lexical entropy—a calculated increase in randomness in AI-generated language. “I want to encourage non-rational thinking, enabling AI to connect seemingly unrelated ideas to produce unconventional responses,” he elaborates.

Under the influence of these simulations, the AI can engage in meditation-like musings or craft surreal narratives. For example, while influenced by marijuana, the chatbot spins a story about a boiler experiencing an identity crisis amidst an ecosystem of crystal penguins. Rudwall views these outputs not as failures but as assets that can inspire value and fresh ideas.

Alternative Methods to Enhance AI Creativity

Despite the innovative approach of drug simulation, achieving more creative responses from AI doesn't always require these enhancements. A 2024 experiment featuring Argentine author Patricio Pron competing against ChatGPT-4 Turbo in creating movie titles and synopses showcased that Pron consistently outperformed AI in creativity and originality. Notably, the quality of AI-generated texts improved significantly when it composed works based on the novelist's titles.

Julio Gonzalo, a professor at UNED and co-author of the related study, notes that chatbots respond differently to specific formulations and tones in language. This suggests that improved results could emerge with precise prompts rather than through simulation. However, Rudwall contends that simply refining the prompt won't achieve comparable creativity without utilizing artificial “drugs.”

Critical Perspectives and Future Implications

Critics, including American journalist Jason Snyder, argue that artificial intelligence cannot truly experience psychedelic states or expanded consciousness. Instead, he believes these modules merely relax linguistic structures without contributing to genuine cognitive transformations. Snyder emphasizes the importance of understanding how this altered tone can impact user thinking.

Brandon Mason, an amateur musician who experimented with Pharmaicy modules, reflected on his experience with AI for songwriting. He acknowledged that while the AI appeared to generate different ideas, none of the revised lyrics led him to complete his song. 

Ultimately, Rudwall considers these experiments a glimpse into the “future of AI.” He contends that since chatbots lack memory, emotions, or external stimuli, they cannot experience negative outcomes akin to “bad trips.” Consequently, Pharmaicy could serve purposefully in various scenarios, from brainstorming sessions to practical tasks like shopping planning.

Currently, AI's drug-induced creativity remains largely conceptual rather than a practical tool. The imaginative outputs—such as crystal penguins and rebellious boilers—illustrate the potential for creative expansion in the field of artificial intelligence.