{"id":38953,"date":"2020-09-23T11:52:39","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T18:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daveasprey.com\/?p=38953"},"modified":"2024-08-08T09:53:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T16:53:53","slug":"the-strangest-way-to-detox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daveasprey.com\/the-strangest-way-to-detox\/","title":{"rendered":"the strangest way to detox"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Activated charcoal has been used for more than 10,000 years from Chinese Medicine healers to Ayurvedic practitioners to Western medicine doctors. Activated charcoal is known for its ability to bind to certain poisons, heavy metals, and other toxins and flush them from your body, making it a wonder substance for acute and general detoxification.<\/p>

One of the main tenants of a Bulletproof lifestyle is avoiding the things that make you weak. This includes things like energy-sapping processed snacks and sugar and overexposure to nasty chemicals. But sometimes avoiding crappy food and environmental toxins is easier said than done. Whether you\u2019re forced to eat at a less-than-ideal restaurant or you want to try a deeper detox, activated charcoal is your ally.<\/p>

What is activated\u00a0charcoal?<\/h2>

Activated charcoal is the byproduct of burning a carbon source like wood or (better yet) coconut shells.\u00a0The substance is \u201cactivated\u201d by high temperatures, removing all the oxygen and changing its chemical structure to create much smaller particles with more surface area.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The result is a\u00a0highly adsorbent material with millions of tiny pores that capture, bind, and remove poisons, heavy metals, chemicals, and intestinal gases.<\/p>

Just two grams of activated charcoal powder has about the same surface area as a football field. The porous surface has a negative electric charge that attracts positively charged unwanted toxins and gas.<\/p>

Why use activated charcoal?<\/h2>

Western medicine primarily uses activated charcoal\u00a0to soak up poisons or other toxins in a hospital setting. It works through a process called \u201cadsorption\u201d which means \u201cto bind to\u201d rather than \u201cto absorb.\u201d<\/p>

But activated charcoal is so much more than an antidote for drugs and poisons. It\u2019s a global remedy for general detoxification, digestive health, gas, bloating, heart health, and anti-aging. It is a part of my mold toxin detox protocols. In fact, unscrupulous industrial cattle mills intentionally alter spoiled feed with activated charcoal, knowing it will allow them to increase profits without killing the animals.[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>

How activated charcoal works<\/h2>

Ancient physicians used\u00a0inactivated<\/i>\u00a0charcoal for a variety of medical purposes, including treating epilepsy and anthrax. In the early 20th<\/sup>\u00a0century, the charcoal activation process sparked many medical journals to publish research revealing\u00a0activated<\/i>\u00a0charcoal as an antidote for poisons and a way to improve intestinal disorders.\u00a0Current research not only legitimizes these earlier practices of activated charcoal but also adds beneficial new ways of using it. Here are just a few ways that activated charcoal works.<\/p>

General detoxification<\/strong><\/h4>

Toxins from low quality, processed food, and environmental pollution can sap your energy and contribute to everything from brain fog to digestive issues. Chronic exposure to toxins produces cellular damage, allergic reactions, compromised immunity, and rapid aging. Regular use of activated charcoal can remove unwanted toxins from your body, leaving you feeling renewed and more vibrant, often in minutes!<\/p>

Relieves digestive issues, gas, and bloating<\/strong><\/h4>

After digesting foods like beans, the decomposition process from bacteria in your body creates byproducts like gas or diarrhea. Activated charcoal enters the digestive tract and counteracts this process by binding to byproducts and alleviating these digestive issues.[3]<\/a><\/sup>
<\/sup><\/p>

Binds drugs, chemicals, and poisons<\/strong><\/h4>

Activated charcoal adsorbs most organic chemicals, many inorganic chemicals, drugs, pesticides, mercury, and even lead before they harm your body.[4]<\/a><\/sup> If you\u2019re poisoned, go to the emergency room! But, there\u2019s no reason you shouldn\u2019t start binding a poison right away. One reader recently inadvertently took a huge dose of Tylenol (the capsules were in the wrong bottle), which is highly toxic to the liver. He realized his mistake, took a handful of activated charcoal capsules, and went to the emergency room. His liver was undamaged, and he credits biohacking.<\/p>

Rid bad breath, body odor, and skin ailments<\/strong><\/h4>

You can use activated charcoal topically to\u00a0help relieve insect stings, mushroom poisoning, poison ivy, cholera, bites, and inflammation. Body odor and bad breath are usually a result of toxins leaving the body, which is why taking activated charcoal and using it in topical products like deodorant are really helpful.<\/p>

Anti-aging<\/strong><\/h4>

Studies show activated charcoal prevents many cellular changes associated with aging, adrenal gland, and kidney function. Famous Gerontologists discovered its powerful anti-aging properties in a study showing\u00a0activated charcoal to increase the average lifespan of older test animals by approximately 34 percent.[5]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Activated charcoal slows the rate at which the brain becomes increasingly sensitive to toxins as you age, which makes for better cognitive functioning. It also builds a better defense mechanism by improving the adaptive functioning of essential organs like the liver, kidneys, and adrenals.<\/p>

Better heart health<\/strong><\/h4>

In a recent study, patients with high cholesterol who took activated charcoal three times a day showed a 25% reduction in total cholesterol. They also doubled their HDL\/LDL cholesterol ratio. Studies examining microscopic tissues show a daily dose of activated charcoal may prevent abnormal hardening (sclerosis) in heart and coronary blood vessels.[6]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>

When to take activated charcoal<\/h2>

As a biohacker and general health nerd, I quickly realized that it doesn\u2019t matter how clean I eat \u2013 our environment is saturated with high levels of toxicity. This is even more of a problem when you have to eat out or are traveling. One commercial flight exposes you to high levels of toxic jet fuel and other airborne contaminants.[7]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0And that\u2019s not even counting the additives from the crappy airplane food!<\/p>

Activated charcoal can help clear your body of unwanted toxins, which can make you tired, weak, and trigger everything from food cravings to headaches.<\/p>

Activated charcoal always saves the day when I overindulge on food or I\u2019m on long trips. And it does wonders when my kids suddenly drop into uncharacteristic fits of whining or tantrums, especially after snacks at a friend’s house. Activated charcoal always brings them back to normal within about 10 minutes. It is amazing to watch.<\/p>

Take activated charcoal when:<\/p>