evidence: Charcoal for gas and bloating Limited research studies have looked at short-term solutions for gas and bloating, such as the use of activated charcoal supplements. Activated charcoal is created by heating common charcoal to make it more porous. The extra spaces in the charcoal trap gas molecules, reducing the gas that causes bloating. Some studies have shown that charcoal, when combined with simethicone, is even more effective at reducing gas and bloating. Simethicone is a medicine that breaks apart gas bubbles, so they are smaller and easier to absorb or pass.