Activated charcoal
Detox · GI adsorbent
Tier A-
What this is
Legitimate role in ED poisonings (ingestions within ~1 hour, non-toxic airway). Biohacker use for 'toxins' in bloodstream is mechanistically nonsense — activated charcoal doesn't leave the gut. Can absorb medications taken around the same time — space by 2+ hours. Some use post-food-poisoning anecdotally reasonable.
Mechanism
Highly porous activated carbon; enormous surface area (~1000 m²/g); adsorbs many toxins, drugs, and chemicals in GI tract; cannot access systemic compartment — only intercepts in gut
Dose & route
Acute poisoning: 1 g/kg initial; biohacker use varies
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15822758/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25994169/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6025940/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.