evidence: - Activated charcoal has become a buzzword in the health and wellness space, with people claiming it can do everything from cure acne and hangovers to alleviate gas and bloating - Activated charcoal has been used in ERs to treat poisoning cases for years, because it can help prevent toxins from being absorbed in the GI tract - But are charcoal pills actually good for your overall health? [...] Some people swear that activated charcoal pills can be effective at preventing hangover symptoms if you take them preemptively. Additionally, one (animal) study found that taking charcoal at the same time as alcohol can prevent your blood alcohol level from rising. [...] Worse, activated charcoal also has the potential to counteract the beneficial effects of prescription medication. "If you take [charcoal] about the time when you are taking your normal prescription medication … it would limit your ability to absorb [them]," Dr. Michael Lynch, medical director for Pittsburgh Poison Center and assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, told TODAY.