How Long Does Activated Charcoal Stay in Your System?

Activated charcoal products have become increasingly popular in consumer industries. You often see it as an ingredient in cosmetic products ranging from toothpaste and mouthwashes to face washes.

But you will also find activated charcoal in supplements that claim to detoxify the body or provide detoxification support in the digestive tract. It is also commonly used in medical settings where it may be used to help absorb chemicals that occur with overdoses or poisoning.

With activated charcoal found in so many places, some people ask, how long does activated charcoal stay in your system? And do the benefits of activated charcoal outway the potential side effects?

How Long Does Activated Charcoal Stay in Your System?

After taking activated charcoal, it makes its way to your stomach. Activated charcoal is highly porous and good at absorbing compounds with which it comes into contact. However, the body does not absorb activated charcoal, which makes it ideal for many uses.

When activated charcoal is given as an antidote to an acute overdose caused by certain orally ingested poisons, research shows that administration within an hour of the poisoning is most effective in a clinical or hospital setting, as that time frame allows the activated charcoal to absorb more of the toxins before they can enter the bloodstream. Again, activated charcoal should only be administered as an antidote to an acute poisoning or drug overdose by a doctor.

But most of the time that activated charcoal is ingested in a recipe or a supplement, it’s not because of an emergency. People are taking it as part of their day-to-day health and wellness routine or as a way to support overall gut health.

So, how does activated charcoal work? For those taking an activated charcoal supplement or in another form, how long does activated charcoal stay in your system?

There isn’t a precise amount of time. Once you’ve ingested activated charcoal, it goes into your stomach and is digested normally. In other words, you’ll pass activated charcoal through your stool like most things you eat.

The precise number depends on age, gender, metabolism, and many other factors. As a rule of thumb, the digestion process, from swallowing to the time it takes activated charcoal (or other foods) to pass through the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine before being eliminated, is approximately two to five days.

Side Effects of Taking Activated Charcoal

Due to the color and porous nature of activated charcoal, it may have various side effects. Some people report black stools, a discolored mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Discuss these side effects with your primary care if activated charcoal is administered in a medical setting. Stop using activated charcoal for general use, including supplementation, and see if your side effects improve. Because activated charcoal may stay in your system for extended periods, side effects may persist for several days.

What is Activated Charcoal?

Activated charcoal is made from wood, coconut shells, and other materials that burn relatively cleanly. However, activated charcoal differs from the charcoal briquettes at an outdoor summer cookout.

The activated charcoal used in consumer products has been treated with oxygen. This process creates a surface for the charcoal that is “exceptionally porous.” These pores, or small holes, create spaces for the activated charcoal to trap toxins or chemicals.

This is why researchers have found that activated charcoal can effectively treat overdoses of certain types of swallowed poisons or trap or treat some drugs or chemicals to stop poisoning.

A healthcare professional should only determine the decision to use activated charcoal for medical reasons. If you believe you or someone you know has ingested poison or is experiencing an overdose, call 911 or Poison Control at 800-222-1222 immediately.

Activated Charcoal Supplements

While using activated charcoal for general health and wellness reasons is not for everyone, many people do seek out these products.

To ensure that the products you ingest are created to the highest standards, our team of practitioners recommend Ultra Binder Universal Toxin Binder Powder by Quicksilver Scientific or Environmental Defense I by Priority One for the support of a healthy gastrointestinal tract, bloating, bowel regularity, and abdominal comfort.

If you have concerns about your gut health, consult your primary care physician to learn about the lifestyle changes you can make to achieve optimal wellness daily.