The benefits of activated charcoal and how to use it safely

In this article:

• What is activated charcoal?
• What is it used for?
• Activated charcoal benefits
• Usage instructions
• Is activated charcoal safe?
• Where to buy activated charcoal
• FAQs

In this article

• What is activated charcoal?
• What is it used for?
• Activated charcoal benefits
• Usage instructions
• Is activated charcoal safe?
• Where to buy activated charcoal
• FAQs

It seems like activated charcoal is everywhere now. You can find it in everything from activated charcoal toothpaste and beauty products to beverages and supplements. It’s even in ice cream. People are using activated charcoal in their daily lives more frequently, hoping to benefit from its powerful detoxifying qualities, but should you really be eating it? This guide will shed light on the risks and health benefits of activated charcoal, and you’ll learn how to use it safely.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is made from the process of burning materials like wood, coconut shells, or peat at very high temperatures. When carbon sources, like wood, burn, it creates small particles that have a large surface area. The superfine activated charcoal (a black powder) that results from this process can bind to and remove heavy metals, chemicals, and other toxins because of its large surface area. Activated charcoal can be used topically on a porous surface—such as the skin—or internally through the digestive system.

What is activated charcoal used for?

Humans have been using activated charcoal for hundreds of years because of its ability to remove toxic substances from the body. It is still commonly used in hospitals for emergency overdose treatment. Its use for this purpose is well established. 

Besides that, research is not strong enough to support other uses.
Besides drug overdose and poisoning, some people use activated charcoal to try to treat:

• Diarrhea
• High cholesterol
• Kidney function
• Acne
• Bug bites and bee stings

Activated charcoal is also used in water filtration and is a popular ingredient in teeth-whitening products, among other things. However, evidence varies, so ask your healthcare provider for more information before using activated charcoal, and never use it as a substitute for your prescription medication.

7 activated charcoal benefits

Many people question whether activated charcoal really works. Has it become so popular because of good marketing or its efficacy? There’s no doubting the power of a good marketing campaign, but some studies have shown that activated charcoal may help support certain health conditions. Here are some activated charcoal uses and more information.

1. Emergency treatment for poisoning/overdose

While some uses of activated charcoal are debatable, its use in overdose is well-established and researched. Hospital and emergency departments sometimes use activated charcoal to counteract certain drug overdoses and poisonings. Examples of these drugs include Tylenol (acetaminophen), aspirin, phenobarbital, theophylline, Dilantin (phenytoin), and tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline). The key is acting quickly. If healthcare providers are able to treat the patient before the toxic substance has entered the bloodstream, activated charcoal can be effective. However, many people who are hospitalized from ingesting a toxin will absorb too much of the substance before being admitted.

Don’t try to treat an overdose at home. Call 911 and have an ambulance take you to the emergency room right away. According to the National Poison Control Center, “It is not recommended to use activated charcoal at home to treat an overdose. If a poisoning is serious enough to warrant the use of activated charcoal, the person should be monitored in an emergency room. Over-the-counter products might not be as ‘activated’ as the activated charcoal used in the emergency room, so they might not be as effective.”

2. Gastrointestinal tract uses, including diarrhea or indigestion

Activated charcoal may help relieve diarrhea by preventing bacteria from being absorbed into the body. It may help decrease the frequency and severity of diarrhea associated with certain chemotherapy treatment. 

Activated charcoal may effectively reduce intestinal gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps. In one particular study, activated charcoal was more effective than a placebo (inactive medicine) and reduced symptoms of abdominal cramping and flatulence. Using activated charcoal combined with the over-the-counter (OTC) medicine simethicone may also have benefits in reducing symptoms. 

“You have a few options to relieve bloating and gas,” says Carrie Lam, MD, a fellow of Anti-Aging, Metabolic, and Functional medicine and co-founder of Lam Clinic. “Activated charcoal can be taken in capsule, liquid, or powder form, and since it is tasteless, [it] can be mixed into a non-acidic juice of your preference. Tablet and capsule forms are the least expensive and often the best investment.”

However, activated charcoal products are not considered first-choice treatments for diarrhea or indigestion. Always consult a medical professional before using. 

3. Cholesterol lowering 

Consuming activated charcoal has also been shown to help some people with high cholesterol by lowering LDL cholesterol levels, as seen in older studies from the 1980s. “Studies around the world have demonstrated that the benefits of activated charcoal are equal to those of prescription cholesterol medications,” says Carrie Lam, MD at Lam Clinic. “Moreover, the use of activated charcoal has been shown to increase good cholesterol in the body while decreasing bad cholesterol by 25% in just four weeks.”

However, since recent research is lacking, experts typically do not recommend the routine use of activated charcoal to treat cholesterol. Consult your healthcare provider for individual professional medical advice.

RELATED: 4 high triglycerides treatment options

4. Kidney disease

The Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation published a study showing how combining activated charcoal with a low-protein diet can help treat renal disease in adults over 80. After almost a year of using activated charcoal, many patients had decreased blood urea and creatinine levels. Another study showed that activated charcoal reduced complications in patients with chronic kidney disease. 

5. Water filtration

Activated charcoal can be used for water filtration to improve the taste and reduce lead and other contaminants. However, to ensure that filters continue to work effectively, it’s important to follow instructions on changing them. 

6. Teeth whitener 

Although activated charcoal may help remove stains and reduce bad breath, dentists caution that it cannot whiten the teeth. What’s more, it can slowly wear away at your enamel, which leads to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, and gum disease. It’s best to check with your dentist for an individualized oral hygiene regimen. 

7. Skincare

While there has not been clear research on activated charcoal for the skin, some people report benefits from products that contain activated charcoal. However, it’s unclear whether these benefits are from the product’s activated charcoal or other ingredients. Your best bet is to ask your dermatologist for a personalized skincare recommendation. 

Activated charcoal may have potential health and beauty benefits. However, the degree to which it’s effective will likely vary from person to person on a case-by-case basis. Speaking with a doctor is always the best way to learn whether a drug or supplement will benefit you personally.

How to use activated charcoal

Activated charcoal has become so popular that it’s available in many forms, such as activated charcoal pills, powders, liquids, and personal care products. 

Topical uses

Activated charcoal may be beneficial when applied topically. The charcoal works by binding to dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt on the surface of the skin. Skincare products with activated charcoal are popular and are available in the form of face washes, face masks, moisturizers, and body wash. Activated charcoal is now found in deodorant (charcoal deodorant may draw out bacteria and odors) and toothpaste, too. Because of the activated charcoal trend, activated charcoal products are easy to find and use.

Internal uses

Consuming activated charcoal is associated with more potential risks than using it topically. Not all supplements containing activated charcoal are made the same or of the same quality, and they aren’t regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way that prescription and OTC drugs are. Buying and consuming high-quality activated charcoal powder, pills, capsules, or tablets is important. In some cases, certain products have additives that contain unhealthy chemicals. 

Activated charcoal dosages

Activated charcoal doses vary based on a person’s condition or symptoms. Doctors might prescribe a single-dose treatment of 50-100 grams for adult gastrointestinal decontamination in hospitals. 

The FDA does not strictly regulate activated charcoal, so get medical advice from your healthcare provider regarding use and dosage. Do not take activated charcoal without discussing it with your doctor.

When taking an activated charcoal supplement by mouth, follow the instructions closely and take it apart from all foods, medicine, and other supplements. Taking it at least one or two hours apart ensures that the charcoal binds to toxins instead of food or medication.

Note: It is possible to overdose from taking too much activated charcoal, but it’s unlikely to be fatal. However, you should call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you believe you or someone else has overdosed on activated charcoal—or call 911 and go to the emergency room if the person is having seizures or not breathing.

Doctors, naturopathic doctors, and nutritionists will provide medical advice on how to take activated charcoal safely. If your healthcare provider recommends activated charcoal, you’ll likely be able to purchase it at their office, through a pharmacy, or online. Some companies like SingleCare offer consumers discounts on activated charcoal.

Is activated charcoal safe?

Just like with any other medication or supplement, there is always the potential for side effects. Consuming activated charcoal can cause side effects that you should be aware of. Here’s a list of some of the most common side effects that could happen from taking activated charcoal orally: 

• Constipation
• Black stools
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

Consuming activated charcoal may also cause more serious side effects. Activated charcoal can cause a serious condition called aspiration, where a person breathes foreign materials, like mucus and liquid, into the lungs (instead of being swallowed). This can be a serious medical condition and requires immediate medical attention.

Activated charcoal can also cause dehydration and severe electrolyte imbalances. Drinking a full glass of water when you take an activated charcoal pill, capsule, or tablet can help you avoid dehydration.

Interactions

Furthermore, activated charcoal can interfere with the body’s absorption of prescription medications. 

A healthcare professional can tell you whether taking activated charcoal is a good idea (and help you figure out the best time to take it based on the timing of your other medications). 

Where to buy activated charcoal

Before using an activated charcoal product, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider regarding appropriate use. Ask if potential benefits outweigh possible risks and side effects.

You can find activated charcoal supplements and products from reputable sources at local drug stores and online. Always check the directions carefully, as directions and dosages vary from product to product. If your doctor issues a prescription, you can use a free SingleCare coupon to save up to 80% off the price of an activated charcoal oral supplement. 

Whatever you do, don’t try making your own activated charcoal. The Poison Control Center advises, “There are some internet sites that encourage making activated charcoal at home or using other carbon sources such as burned toast or charcoal briquettes. These products are not effective and should never be used.”

FAQs about activated charcoal

What is activated charcoal used for? 

Activated charcoal is routinely used in hospitals and emergency rooms to reverse an overdose or poisoning. It must be used quickly to be most effective. As outlined in the information above, activated charcoal has various other uses, from stomach ailments to health and beauty products. If you are interested in taking an activated charcoal supplement, ask your healthcare provider first to ensure it is safe and appropriate for you to take. 

Is it okay to take activated charcoal every day?

Check with your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate use—and length of use—of activated charcoal products. 

How does activated charcoal detox your body in the event of an overdose?

Activated charcoal works by adsorbing (binding to) toxic substances, stopping the gastrointestinal tract from absorbing these toxins, and reducing or preventing toxicity. Activated charcoal does not work for every medication. While it’s effective for an overdose of certain medicines such as Tylenol, aspirin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or certain antidepressants, it does not work for alcohol, lithium, electrolytes like magnesium, and acids or alkalis. 

Can activated charcoal eliminate odors?

Activated charcoal may help eliminate odors. This ingredient can be found in various deodorant products.