Two out of three people in Spain already turn to AI to look up health issues

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly common tool among the Spanish population for consulting questions related to physical and mental health. According to Línea Directa’s study, two out of three people (66%) in Spain use AI to ask about a medical problem or a health-related concern. A generational gap is evident: 9 out of 10 young people aged 16 to 19 rely on this technology for health information (half of them frequently or always). Among people aged 65 to 75, the percentage drops to 41.7%.

These findings come from the latest health study by Línea Directa, “The Dangers of Digital Self-Diagnosis”, developed with Ruth Castillo-Gualda, PhD in Psychology and expert in Emotional Intelligence, and Dr. Justo Menéndez, a medical specialist with over 30 years of experience and head of Emergency Services, both professors at Camilo José Cela University (UCJC). The study aims to analyse the surge in AI use in Spain, how it relates to physical and mental health, and to offer recommendations for responsible use.

The rise of AI use in health matters

Many people no longer see AI as just a complement but sometimes replace their initial medical consultation with this technology. In fact, for 1 in 4 Spaniards (24.8%), digital self-diagnosis has become the first option when a health problem appears. Among young people, the preference is even stronger: 41.8% choose search engines, influencers or AI tools instead of visiting a doctor or an emergency room. In the 65-75 age group, the figure falls to 10.6%.

The main reasons Spaniards turn to AI are its availability (16.3%), the immediacy of responses (12.2%), and the speed of the process (11.5%). Furthermore, factors such as privacy or feeling listened to and not judged play a key role among those who are emotionally distressed, who seek empathy for emotional issues. Gender differences also stand out: 55% of women use AI for this reason, compared to 45% of men. There is also a generational divide: 35% of young people versus 7% of older adults.

Nationally, 18.5% of the population uses AI frequently or very frequently to look up health-related questions, confirming its integration into everyday life.

Catalonia (24%), the Region of Murcia (22.1%) and the Canary Islands (21.4%) are the regions where frequent or very frequent consultations of AI for health issues are most common. At the opposite end are Galicia (10.4%), Castile and León (11.5%), and Cantabria (13.5%).

How AI use relates to mental health

The study also reveals that, in matters of mental health, AI has become a “digital therapist” for many. Individuals who feel emotionally unwell seek support from this technology and attempt to ease uncertainty about symptoms or health concerns. According to participants, this searching offers more relief than doing nothing, yet it creates a false sense of control.

Half of people with anxiety or depression in Spain use AI almost daily to resolve health doubts. This intensive use contrasts sharply with that of patients with chronic physical illnesses — such as hypertension (15%) or diabetes (13%) — suggesting that dependence on these tools is far more connected to psychological and emotional needs. Compulsive searching of symptoms online, known as cyberchondria, fuels a vicious cycle: the greater the emotional distress, the more searches are made, ultimately worsening the situation.

Advice to identify misuse of AI applied to health

In response to rising digital consultations and increasing self-diagnosis, Línea Directa and experts Ruth Castillo-Gualda and Dr. Justo Menéndez highlight the importance of conscious, responsible use of AI in health contexts. They offer key recommendations:

• Use AI responsibly.

• Do not replace healthcare professionals with AI.

• Reject AI-generated diagnoses and treatments without professional support.

• Avoid cyberchondria.

• Thoughts are not diagnoses: create distance.

• Prioritise human connection.

• Identify the emotion behind your search.

• Be mindful of your internal dialogue when reading AI responses.