evidence: Doctors sometimes use activated charcoal if people have ingested certain poisons. The charcoal binds to the poison in the upper digestive tract, preventing the gut from absorbing it. [...] Experts do not recommend activated charcoal detoxes for general use. Unless the levels of toxins are high, the body is typically able to detoxify itself. [...] Doctors use it to remove specific poisons from the body shortly after ingestion. Also, the treatment is only effective while the toxins remain in the upper digestive tract.