Activated charcoal
Detox · GI adsorbent
Tier C
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Activated charcoal as C (4.8/10) based on very weak evidence, low benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Legitimate role in ED poisonings (ingestions within ~1 hour, non-toxic airway).
Typical use: Acute poisoning: 1 g/kg initial; biohacker use varies — OTC / hospital use.
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/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Activated charcoal work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Activated charcoal as Very Weak and the benefit magnitude as low, producing an overall grade of C (4.8/10). Legitimate role in ED poisonings (ingestions within ~1 hour, non-toxic airway).
- Is Activated charcoal safe?
- Activated charcoal has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC / hospital use. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Activated charcoal?
- Acute poisoning: 1 g/kg initial; biohacker use varies
- How does Activated charcoal work?
- 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
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.