Activated Charcoal/Carbon

After visiting the toilet 4 times, I decided to do some research on the black stuff I was consuming to help my tummy overcome whatever nonsense was (and is) going on in it.

Activated charcoal is basically carbon that has been treated with controlled oxidation. After treatment, the charcoal will possess a high degree of microporosity (gives the charcoal lots of tiny, tiny holes). Due to this, 1 gram of activated charcoal can have a surface area exceeding 500 square meters (says Wikipedia).

Activated charcoal has 14x the adsorption power of ordinary charcoal. *Cool scientific term* Adsorption (not absorption) refers to the adhesion of particles (atoms, molecules etc) from a gas, liquid or dissolved solid to a surface. This means when the carbon flows through your gastrointestinal tract, all those icky yucky ewwy toxins and impurities are attracted to the surface of the carbon. The activated charcoal works like a magnet, using its wide active site (read: surface) to bind with toxins that give your tummy the ouchies. When you finally unceremoniously dispose of the contents of your gut, the charcoal goes out with the impurities, leaving your intestines squeaky clean!

Besides diarrhea treatment, activated carbon is also used for treating drug overdoses and poisonings. It all works the same way. So if you accidentally ingest a can of herbicide, ask your local pharmacy for activated carbon. Taking carbon before having an alcoholic drink also decreases your body's ability to absorb ethanol from the drink, hence reducing your expected blood alcohol content.

Pretty cool, huh? Thank you black ugly tablet for helping me through my indigestion!