Eli5 – what “activates” charcoal? And how does that make it good for you?

Question

Eli5 – what “activates” charcoal? And how does that make it good for you?

In: 31

Answer 1

Many substances stick to the surface of charcoal. If you can make it spongelike on a microscopic level, it will have a lot of surface and so it can collect a lot of gunk. Like a molecular mop.

That’s what activating charcoal does. It riddles the material with microscopic holes and/or craters.

It’s great for absorbing nastiness in your stomach, but that’s about the extent of its medical application.