What Is Activated Charcoal? Health Benefits, Risks, and More

Activated Charcoal: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More

Activated Charcoal: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More
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Updated on October 31, 2022
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Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health situation, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns. 

Activated charcoal is an odorless black powder that has historically been used to treat poisoning and drug overdoses. But in recent years, it’s gained traction as a wellness supplement, promoted for its ability to “detoxify” the body and help with gas, bloating, nausea, hangovers, and overall gut health.

However, activated charcoal comes with its share of side effects, including diarrhea, vomiting, nutrient malabsorption, black tongue, and black poop. It may also lower the effectiveness of other medications.

Before you get started with activated charcoal, here’s a look at its proposed benefits, drawbacks, and safety considerations to keep in mind.

Potential Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Like many supplements, activated charcoal is appealing because it’s easy to access (no prescription needed), quick to take, and, supposedly, helps remove toxins from the body, says Amy Shapiro, RD, a registered dietitian and the founder of Real Nutrition in New York City.

But the purported benefits, aside from treating poisoning and drug overdoses, should be taken with a grain of salt, says Jamie Baham, RDN, a registered dietitian and the founder of Ladybug Nutrition in Oklahoma City. “Although excellent for reducing poison, more research needs to be done before using it for digestive health management,” Baham says.

With that in mind, here are a few potential health benefits of activated charcoal.

Treats Poisoning and Drug Overdoses

In emergency medical situations, doctors can administer activated charcoal by mouth to trap drugs and other chemicals and stop poisoning.

Activated charcoal is made by heating carbon-based compounds like peat, coal, wood, and coconut shells at high temperatures, which makes these compounds more porous. It’s these pores that help trap harmful chemicals in the body.

 Once the supplement is ingested, it can catch toxic substances in the gut and prevent their absorption into the body.
Activated charcoal is frequently used as an alternative to stomach pumping. It should be administered immediately, within an hour after an incident of poisoning or overdose.

 Baham says that it should only be used in this way in a hospital setting.

May Promote Wound Healing

Research suggests that activated charcoal used in bandages may help speed up wound healing.

Researchers have found that wounds bandaged up with carbon cloths (fabric with activated charcoal in them) reduced in size faster than those dressed with a standard silver foam dressing, suggesting that activated charcoal can promote wound healing.

Older research suggests that it may aid in wound healing by absorbing fluid, bacteria, toxins, and odor-causing compounds, giving the wound a cleaner environment in which to heal.

May Reduce Gas

Research suggests that activated charcoal may offer relief from excessive gas. That’s because of its porous structure, which allows it to bind to gas in the gut. By absorbing and trapping gas molecules, it can reduce uncomfortable symptoms of bloating and gas, according to Wesley McWhorter, DrPH, RD, a Houston-based spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

An observational study of people with small intestinal bowel overgrowth (a condition where too much bacteria builds up in the small intestine) noted that a combination of simethicone (an over-the-counter medication used for gas) and activated charcoal helped reduce gas by 25 percent after 10 days of use.

The study had its limitations — the 52 participants self-reported their gas incidents in a three-day diary before and after treatment, so it’s hard to ensure accuracy. Also, the study took place over a short period, making the long-term effects of activated charcoal unclear.

Another caveat: Research on whether it can help with gas and bloating is limited to older studies, Baham says.

Dr. McWhorter says activated charcoal may provide gas relief for some, but more robust research is needed to make it a substantial claim. “While some studies suggest it may reduce bloating, the evidence is limited and not consistently supported in clinical research,” he notes.

May Help Treat and Prevent Diarrhea

Because activated charcoal helps trap toxins in the gut, it may work to prevent diarrhea-causing bacteria and drugs from being absorbed into the body. In fact, the authors of one case series that looked at three elderly patients with diarrhea found that activated charcoal was potentially useful and caused relatively few side effects, compared with other treatment options for diarrhea.

This is another area that requires more research, due to its dated and conflicting research, says McWhorter.

It’s plausible that activated charcoal may work for diarrhea, because activated charcoal can bind to substances in the gut, McWhorter says. But he notes that the research isn’t robust enough to support its use for this purpose.

Weight Loss Effect of Activated Charcoal

There’s very little scientific evidence that activated charcoal can support weight loss.

Its effect in this capacity has only been studied on a small scale and in animals, not in humans. For example, one study found that activated charcoal helped prevent obesity and insulin resistance (a condition where the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, a hormone that manages blood glucose) in mice fed a high-fat diet. The study authors believe that these effects were likely due to changes in fat absorption and the metabolism of fatty acids and bile acids (molecules that play a role in digestion).

With limited research, it’s far too early to use activated charcoal as a supplement for weight loss, says McWhorter. “There’s no strong evidence in humans,” he continues. “It’s not considered safe or effective for weight loss and isn’t recommended for that purpose.”

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal used in an at-home setting can be risky, says McWhorter.

“My general guidance is to approach with caution. Activated charcoal isn’t a magic bullet, and it’s not something to take casually,” he says. “Anyone considering it should first talk to a qualified healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to weigh risks and benefits in the context of their health history.”

It’s also worth noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve the safety or effectiveness of activated charcoal supplements before they are sold. In fact, activated charcoal has not been approved for any medical uses outside of hospital settings. So, be sure to speak with your doctor before starting an activated charcoal supplement.

Risks

Women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding should consult with their healthcare provider before using activated charcoal, even in the short term. The same goes for anyone with a condition that slows the passage of food through the intestine (such as gastroparesis).

 Because of safety concerns, there is limited research on how activated charcoal may affect this segment of the population. So, the potential risks and side effects are unknown.

Activated charcoal interacts with hormonal birth control medications and may lower their efficacy. Therefore, it’s recommended that activated charcoal be taken at least three hours after or 12 hours before any birth control medication. Also, before doing so, it’s important to check with your doctor to see if activated charcoal is safe to take with your birth control medication.

Activated charcoal may interact with other medications, including those used to treat diabetes (acarbose), mental health conditions or disorders (aripiprazole and olanzapine), epilepsy and other seizure disorders (carbamazepine), leprosy (dapsone), and heart issues (digoxin).

Talk to your doctor before trying activated charcoal supplements if you take these or other medications. Your provider may suggest taking the supplement at least one hour after oral medications or avoiding activated charcoal entirely.

If you’d like to try activated charcoal, you should do so under the supervision of a medical professional. “While it’s relatively safe in acute medical use, routine or unsupervised use is not recommended,” McWhorter says.

Side Effects

Here are some of the side effects that are associated with activated charcoal supplements:

  • Black tongue
  • Black poop
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Nutrient loss from activated charcoal absorbing both good and bad substances in the body
  • Constipation
  • Gastrointestinal blockages (if used regularly or excessively)
  • Allergic reactions (such as skin rashes, itching or hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)

Forms of Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is typically sold in capsules or powders, but you may also see it incorporated into drinks. “There’s no form that’s been proven more effective [than the others],” McWhorter notes.

“If you’re considering something like activated charcoal, talk to a registered dietitian who can help you make an informed, personalized decision based on real evidence, not internet hype,” he adds.

How to Select and Store Activated Charcoal

If you decide to take activated charcoal, ensure that you’re choosing and storing the product carefully.

Selection

To choose a quality activated charcoal supplement, check the label for certifications from USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab. These certifications mean the product has undergone third-party testing for quality and purity.

Your healthcare team can also help you identify a quality activated charcoal product, if they determine a need for you to take one.

Storage

Activated charcoal should be kept out of reach of children and stored at room temperature (between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

The supplement should also be tightly closed and protected from heat and moisture. Throw it away after its expiration date.

Dosage of Activated Charcoal

There’s no standard dosage for general use, McWhorter says, noting that most supplements range from 500 to 1,000 milligrams per serving.

But consumers should take it with caution. As mentioned above, activated charcoal can interfere with medications and nutrient absorption, which is a major concern, especially with routine use, McWhorter says.

The Takeaway

  • Activated charcoal is used in medical emergencies for poisoning and drug overdoses, but it’s becoming more popular as a supplement, purportedly to “detoxify” the body.
  • While activated charcoal supplements may help with gas or diarrhea in some cases, more research is needed to back up those claims. Until then, it should only be used occasionally and with guidance from a health practitioner or dietitian.
  • Activated charcoal supplements carry risks and side effects, including black tongue, black poop, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, gastrointestinal blockages (if used regularly or excessively), drug interactions, and allergic reactions (such as skin rashes, itching or hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue).
  • It’s essential to talk to a healthcare provider before trying activated charcoal, especially if you’re taking any medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are managing a health condition.

Common Questions & Answers

What is activated charcoal?
Activated charcoal is an odorless black powder that’s made by heating carbon-based compounds like peat, coal, wood, and coconut shells at high temperatures. It’s routinely used to counteract poisoning and drug overdoses in medical settings, as an alternative to stomach pumping, but as a supplement it’s also marketed to help with gas, bloating, nausea, hangovers, and overall gut health.
Tread carefully when using activated charcoal outside of clinical settings. Talk to your doctor before taking an activated charcoal supplement, to ensure that it’s safe and to help you find the right dosage.
Side effects of activated charcoal supplements include black tongue, black poop, vomiting, diarrhea, nutrient loss (as the supplement absorbs both good and bad substances), constipation, gastrointestinal blockages, and allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching, or hives. It also lowers the efficacy of some medications.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Activated Charcoal. MedlinePlus. October 26, 2023.
  2. Should You Take Activated Charcoal for a Stomach Bug (or Any Other Reason?). Cleveland Clinic. December 2, 2024.
  3. Activated Charcoal. University of Utah Health. January 31, 2023.
  4. Probst S et al. Superabsorbent Charcoal Dressing Versus Silver Foam Dressing in Wound Area Reduction: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Journal of Wound Care. February 2022.
  5. Kerihuel JC et al. Effect of Activated Charcoal Dressings on Healing Outcomes of Chronic Wounds. Journal of Wound Care. September 2013.
  6. Melchior C et al. Efficacy of Antibiotherapy for Treating Flatus Incontinence Associated With Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Pilot Randomized Trial. PLoS One. August 1, 2017.
  7. Sanderovich H et al. Is There a Role for Charcoal in Palliative Diarrhea Management? Current Medical Research and Opinion. July 26, 2017.
  8. Zhang X et al. Acidic Activated Charcoal Prevents Obesity and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice. Frontiers in Nutrition. May 2022.
  9. Charcoal Tablets or Capsules. Cleveland Clinic. April 2025.
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