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Activated Charcoal (AC) is a natural byproduct produced from slow-burning various organic substances.
Some AC products are used in emergency centers worldwide to treat poisoning and drug overdose victims.
This compound is used as a supplement for hangovers, gas and bloating, teeth whitening, skin health, cholesterol, and to cleanse the digestive system and remove toxins from the body.
This compound binds to and holds toxins in the bloodstream until they are excreted from the body. It can made from various sources – including wood, petroleum, coconut fiber, and peat.
AC that is used for medicinal purposes should be sourced from organic coconut shells, or some other organic natural source such as select natural hardwoods.
Activated charcoal is generally well tolerated as a dietary supplement and has been rated by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database as Likely Safe when used orally short-term.
Detox
Digestion
Blood Lipids- Helps to detoxify blood & the gut
- May support healthy blood lipid levels
- May help reduce gas and bloating
Top Activated Charcoal* ❯What Is Activated Charcoal?
Chemically, activated charcoal is composed of the element carbon (C). It is sometimes also referred to as activated carbon.
Charcoal is made by burning raw organic materials like coconut shells, peat, wood, and petroleum.
The “activation” of charcoal generally refers to the processing of carbon to create many small, low-volume pores. This process exponentially increasing its surface area so that it can absorb different substances.
Activation occurs when charcoal is high-heated in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as steam or carbon dioxide.
Charcoal may also be activated chemically with zinc chloride, phosphoric acid, or other agents that cause the pore structure of the charcoal to expand significantly.
Slow-heating charcoal to activate it causes the formation of millions of tiny pores located on microscopic “nooks and crannies” on the surface.
According to USP standards, the surface area of the charcoal must be a minimum of 900 m2/g (meters squared per gram) in order to be considered properly activated.
This highly porous surface has a negative electromagnetic charge. Positively-charged ions, heavy metals, and gases are attracted to the negative charge of the activated charcoal and readily bind to it.
The nonpolar, porous surface of activated charcoal allows it to attract and retain toxins that can weigh as much as one thousand times its original weight.
As activated charcoal travels the bloodstream, it attracts and binds to numerous toxic substances that may be present including poisons, drugs, and heavy metals.
Some other names you may see used for AC include Activated Carbon, Animal Charcoal, Vegetable Charcoal, CarbónActivado, CharbonActif, CharbonMédicinal, CharbonVégétal, Gas Black, Lamp Black, Medicinal Charcoal, Noir de Gaz, Noir de Lampe, or Vegetable Carbon.
Do not substitute activated charcoal with the charcoal that you use in your barbeque grill. This charcoal is not intended to be consumed and may contain toxins and chemicals detrimental to your health.
Uses for Activated Charcoal
Dietary supplements containing activated charcoal are typically used to promote detoxification, alleviate gas and bloating and support healthy digestion.
According to one manufacturer, this supplement “may be helpful for absorbing toxins and gases in the GI tract.”
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) has rated activated charcoal as Likely Effective for cases of poisoning. AC is frequently given orally as part of a standard treatment plan for some forms of acute poisoning.
Some research has shown that administration of this compound works better than gastric lavage (stomach pumping) in certain cases of poisoning.
In addition to its medical usage for treating acute poisonings and as a drug overdose treatment, activated charcoal is also used for:
- Promoting healthy serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Preventing alcohol and drug hangovers
- Reducing intestinal discomfort and bloating
- Treating bile flow disorders, specifically during pregnancy
Bulk activated charcoal powders are also used for teeth whitening and as an exfoliant for the skin.
How Activated Charcoal Works in the Body
Activated charcoal is able to trap numerous toxins that are found in the body. It decreases their elimination half-life, which means it improves their clearance from the body.
AC binds to pharmaceuticals inside the intestines that are unabsorbed. It also attaches to drugs traveling through gastrointestinal circulation.
AC works by capturing toxic chemicals in its millions of microscopic pores. While many sources claim that AC “absorbs” toxins, it does not.
Absorption is the process of an absorbent solid or liquid dissolving a fluid. Adsorption is where atoms of a substance adhere to the surface of an absorbent.
Technically activated charcoal “adsorbs” toxins in the body, meaning it causes them to “stick” to its surface. It does not dissolve them as would occur in absorption.
After toxic compounds adsorb to the surface of activated charcoal they no longer cause damage and are flushed out of the body as the AC is eliminated from the gastrointestinal tract.
This product is widely used in cases of acute poisoning or accidental drug overdose in medical centers around the world.
AC helps to prevent the poison or drug from being absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. It must be administered soon after ingestion, typically between one hour and two hours after ingestion for to maximize efficacy.
Note that activated charcoal is not usually used to treat poisoning by petroleum, corrosives, strong acids or bases, alcohol, cyanide, lithium, iron tablets, or lye.
Activated Charcoal Health Benefits
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) rates activated charcoal as Likely Effective for treating poisoning. It is the standard treatment for some types of acute poisoning.
Some other uses for and purported benefits of AC include:
- Eliminating toxic mold and mildew accumulation
- Supporting detoxification and preventing premature aging
- Improving diarrhea, bloating, and other gastrointestinal complaints
- Improving mental function
- Increasing energy levels
- Promoting healthier digestion
- Possibly removing fluoride from tap water
- Reducing stomach and intestinal toxins by as much as 60%
- Relieving joint pain
- Whitening teeth
Activated charcoal is sometimes used for reducing body odor. It is also used for various skin ailments including insect bites and stings, snake bites, acne, and poison ivy.
According to preliminary clinical (human) research, oral use of this supplement seems to improve severe itching in cholestasis, a liver disorder that can occur during pregnancy.
Evidence is conflicting concerning the usefulness of this supplement for reducing flatulence and for regulating serum cholesterol levels.
For most uses of this compound, research is lacking, and more studies are needed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of AC. At this time the FDA has not approved activated charcoal as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any conditions.
Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening
Activated charcoal is a popular agent for whitening teeth naturally. Some people use it as a toothpaste replacement, while others use it as a whitening powder and follow up with a normal toothpaste routine.
To use this compound for teeth whitening, most people will pour a small amount of powder onto a moistened toothbrush and brush gently for 2 minutes. Some people dip their damp toothbrush into the powder, however it is often recommended to avoid getting moisture into the powder’s container.
Note that your mouth, teeth, gums and tongue will be black before rinsing. While activated charcoal powder rinses completely off teeth and the mouth, it can stain numerous surfaces such as tile grout and clothing. It is recommended to clean up any spills immediately.
Many people claim excellent whitening results within just one or two treatments. AC is also purported to help to balance the mouth’s pH level, and it is used for gingivitis, tooth decay, and bad breath.
There have not been any studies conducted using activated charcoal for teeth whitening and oral health. Research is needed to determine if AC is safe and effective for these and other purposes.
It is best to discuss using this product for teeth whitening with your dentist before beginning.
Effects on Cholesterol Levels
There is some clinical evidence that oral consumption of activated charcoal capsules or powder may reduce plasma (blood) cholesterol levels.
AC may work by binding to cholesterol and bile acids that contain cholesterol in the gut. This action would prevent the cholesterol from being re-absorbed into the body.
One study found that patients given 8 g of activated charcoal three times per day (24 g total per day) had reduced total cholesterol levels and reduced LDL-cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”) levels.
Another study gave patients doses of AC ranging from 4-32 g per day and found that on average total cholesterol concentration was reduced by 23% and levels of LDL-cholesterol were reduced by 29% compared to pretreatment levels.
However, some other research has found that giving activated charcoal to patients with hyperlipidemia (high concentration of lipids in the blood) had no effects on blood lipid levels.
More research is still needed to determine whether activated charcoal works for reducing cholesterol and other lipid levels in the blood.
Activated Charcoal for Gas and Bloating
Activated charcoal is sometimes taken for gastrointestinal gas and bloating. It is thought to work by binding to gas-producing compounds in foods.
Some people will take a 500 mg dose of activated charcoal with a glass of water an hour before eating a gas-producing meal. Drinking another glass of water with the meal or after it is recommended as well.
There is conflicting evidence for the effectiveness of taking this supplement for gas and bloating. Some studies have shown effects, while others have not.
One study found that compared to a placebo, activated charcoal reduced symptoms of bloating and abdominal cramps attributed to intestinal gas. Two other studies found that AC given after a gas-producing meal reduced flatus events (belching or flatulence).
However, two studies found that using this product did not influence gas formation or flatus events in patients who ate gas-producing meals.
Because of the conflicting results, more research is still needed in to determine whether it is effective for reducing gas and bloating caused by food.
Hangover Prevention
Activated charcoal is sometimes used as a hangover preventative or cure. However, it has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for this use.
Activated charcoal is included in some over-the-counter hangover treatment products as well as dietary supplements intended to promote detoxification following a night of drinking.
It this time there is no firm evidence that AC works to prevent or treat hangovers currently. It does not seem to increase alcohol elimination from the body.
Research in dogs has shown that activated charcoal given at the same time as alcohol can reduce the blood alcohol concentration significantly. However clinical research in humans has not found evidence of this effect.
In one study, patients consumed 88 g of alcohol and after 20 minutes they were given either 20 g of activated charcoal or a placebo (water). There was no significant difference in blood alcohol concentration between the groups.
Most alcoholic drinks are not pure alcohol and contain sweeteners and other chemicals. While activated charcoal does not adsorb alcohol well, some users purport that it helps eliminate these other compounds that can exacerbate a hangover. This effect has not been studied yet.
There is not enough research at this time to determine the efficacy of using activated charcoal for a hangover or alcohol detoxification. More study is still needed.
Activated Charcoal Supplements
You can find this dietary supplement in powder, capsule, cube, and granular forms. It is tasteless and odorless.
It will sometimes be sold in the form of skin creams or exfoliating lotions. Activated charcoal is also included in some fabrics and sponges used for personal hygiene as it is said to have a deodorizing effect.
Most AC supplements and teeth-whitening powders are typically sourced from natural substances like organic coconut shells, bamboo, and select natural hardwoods.
It is recommended to store your activated charcoal products out of contact with heat, light, and air. An airtight container is recommended, especially for powdered products.
If stored in an airtight container, activated charcoal has an almost indefinite shelf life. If it is exposed to the environment, it will slowly overtime adsorb pollutants from the air and become less effective for health uses.
Activated Charcoal Dosages
For treating drug overdose or poisoning in adults, an initial oral dose of activated charcoal between 50-100 grams is commonly used. That initial dose is followed by 12.5 g oral doses every 3 hours or so.
For children, it is administered in lower initial doses, typically between 10-25 grams.
The use of activated charcoal for poisoning or overdose should only be performed by trained health professionals. Call local poison control or 911 immediately if you suspect someone has been poisoned or overdosed on drugs.
Common dosages recommended by manufacturers of activated charcoal capsule supplements is 560-600 mg taken between 2-3 times per day, 2-3 hours before or after meals.
When taken orally, it is often recommended to mix powder supplements with a glass of water. Between ½ teaspoons to 1 tablespoon has been recommended by manufacturers for oral use.
When used topically for skin health, it is recommended to mix 1-2 teaspoons of activated charcoal powder with water and coconut oil into a paste. The paste is typically applied as a face mask and left on to dry before being washed off.
When used topically for bug bites, burns, and small wounds, it has been recommended to mix a few tablespoons of AC with a few tablespoons of cornstarch or flax and then add a cup of water to make a paste. The paste is applied to the area, covered with a cloth for 10-20 minutes, removed, and then reapplied if need be.
It is recommended to speak with your doctor before beginning to use an activated charcoal supplement. Your doctor will be able to determine the best dosage for your needs.
Safety and Side Effects
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database has rated activated charcoal as Likely Safe when used appropriately, orally, and short-term. It is rated as Possibly Safe when used during pregnancy and lactation.
This supplement is known to be generally safe and well-tolerated when used appropriately. The only common side effects associated with it are black, tarry stools, and constipation.
Rare, but more serious side effects of AC can include pulmonary aspiration and gastrointestinal obstruction.
If you take activated charcoal supplements with a cathartic (strongly laxative) drug, metabolic acidosis or electrolyte imbalances may result, especially in infants.
It is very important to drink a lot of water whenever you are using this product. Failure to do so can cause dehydration.
Activated Charcoal Interactions
Activated charcoal supplements can interact with some drugs, micronutrients, and health conditions.
Ethanol alcohol might decrease the absorptive capacity of AC, meaning it might make this supplement less effective at attaching to toxins in the bloodstream.
Activated charcoal capsules and powders may also decrease or completely inhibit the absorption of some drugs – including:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Digozen
- Nadolol phenylbutazone
- Phenobarbital
- Various tricyclic antidepressants
This supplement may also affect the absorption of carbamazepine, dapsone, disopyramide, phenytoin, piroxicam, quinine, propoxyphene, sotalol, and theophylline.
AC might inactivate an expectorant (loosens phlegm) and rapid-acting emetic (induces vomiting) called Syrup of Ipecac or Epicac.
Activated charcoal is not known to interact with any herbs or supplements. However, it may reduce absorption of some micronutrients.
It has been seen in research that AC can reduce serum cholesterol and other lipid levels. However, not all studies have reported positive results. In some cases, it may affect results of laboratory tests that measure blood lipid levels.
Do not use activated charcoal products if you have GI Obstruction. In those with slowed peristalsis, AC should be used very cautiously and only after consulting with a physician.
Article last updated on: June 24th, 2018 by Nootriment