Activated charcoal is commonly taken by mouth to treat poisonings. It is also used for intestinal gas (flatulence), high cholesterol, hangovers, upset stomach, and bile flow problems (cholestasis) during pregnancy.
When taken internally, Activated Charcoal can improve digestive function and immunity by helping to remove heavy metals, viruses and parasites from the gut and encouraging the growth of good bacteria.
Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and chemicals in the gut, preventing their absorption ( 2 ). The charcoal's porous texture has a negative electrical charge, which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, such as toxins and gases. This helps it trap toxins and chemicals in the gut ( 2 , 3).
But, is it okay to take an activated charcoal supplement daily? Well, technically, yes. “There would be minimal risk,” Dr. Michael Lynch, medical director for Pittsburgh Poison Center and assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, tells TODAY.
In the 1960s, the Food and Drug Administration prohibited the use of activated charcoal in food additives or coloring, but an F.D.A. spokeswoman said in an email that the ban was precautionary, as there was a lack of safety data.
So, the sooner activated charcoal is taken after swallowing the drug or poison, the better it works—generally within 30 to 60 minutes. The toxic molecules will bind to the activated charcoal as it works its way through your digestive tract, and then they will leave your body together in your stool.
Researchers have reported that activated charcoal can help draw microparticles, such as dirt, dust, chemicals, toxins, and bacteria, to the surface of the skin, to make removing them easier.
For treatment of poisoning: Adults and teenagers—Dose is usually 50 to 100 grams of activated charcoal given one time. Children 1 through 12 years of age—Dose is usually 25 to 50 grams of activated charcoal given one time. Children up to 1 year of age—Use is not recommended.
When used to treat a poisoning or overdose, activated charcoal is usually safe, but it needs to be administered only in a health care facility.
Activated charcoal is created by heating common charcoal to make it more porous. The extra spaces in the charcoal trap gas molecules, reducing the gas that causes bloating. Some studies have shown that charcoal, when combined with simethicone, is even more effective at reducing gas and bloating.
Treatment with more than one dose: Adults and teenagers—At first, the dose is 50 to 100 grams. Then the dose may be 12.5 grams given every hour, 25 grams given every two hours, or 50 grams given every four hours. Each dose should be mixed with water.
Activated charcoal is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It helps prevent the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body. Sometimes, several doses of activated charcoal are needed to treat severe poisoning.
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