What’s Black, Simple, and Works Wonders for Your Body?

I’m Brandon Wilson. I am constantly working toward improving my mind, body, and spirit using various ancient techniques and cutting-edge biohacking tools and devices. I want to be healthy, but not at the expense of being happy. This simple idea is what it means to be wellthy.

For just $6 per month ($1.50 per newsletter), you get access to the entire archive of over 200 newsletters, audio voiceovers (with extra content and always read by me), and participation in the brain training raffle to win monthly biohacking gift bags.

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I used to travel for work, and on one trip, I made the mistake of pairing some bad chicken with hot Cheetos. For those raising an eyebrow at this consumption, it was almost ten years ago when I was less focused on my health. The toxic hot Cheetos prevented me from detecting the toxic chicken, but my queasy stomach soon alerted me that I would be sick. I did have the wherewithal to carry supplements back then, and I immediately took some activated charcoal capsules. While I still vomited and had a horrible night, I felt much better the next day.

I was aware that emergency room doctors use activated charcoal for acute poisoning and overdoses because it binds to toxins and prevents their absorption into the bloodstream. Don’t confuse activated charcoal with the charcoal briquets you use to grill burgers, dogs, and Polska kielbasa.

What is activated charcoal?

The manufacturing process of activated charcoal is straightforward. Start with raw carbon-rich materials like wood, coconut shells, bamboo, coal, or peat. Heat in an oxygen-free or low-oxygen environment to a range of 750℉ to 1470℉ (400℃ to 800℃) to remove non-carbon elements. Activate with steam or chemicals to open the molecular structure and create a porous surface. The result is a highly porous structure with immense surface area. One gram can have a surface area of over 1,000 square meters.

Activated charcoal works primarily through adsorption, which is the process of attracting and holding particles (such as toxins, chemicals, or impurities) on its surface. Activated charcoal is most effective for binding to substances that do not mix well with water (hydrophobic) and lack an electrical charge, such as prescription and over-the-counter drugs, pesticides, and herbicides. Activated charcoal is ineffective for certain toxins such as alcohols, heavy metals (iron, lead, mercury, arsenic), acids, and hydrocarbons (gasoline, kerosene). Don’t think activated charcoal is going to get you out of a hangover, but it may help with other toxins you likely consumed in your indulgence.

Benefits of Activated Charcoal

• Detoxification - Activated charcoal is the most frequently used method of gastrointestinal decontamination after certain kinds of poisoning, toxic exposure, and drug overdose in hospital emergency rooms.¹

• Alleviates gas and bloating—A double-blind clinical trial found that subjects who used activated charcoal experienced reduced gas and bloating compared to the placebo group.²

• Digestive health: Activated charcoal is a natural gut cleanser that can help lighten the body's toxic load and support the immune system.

• Lowers cholesterol - In a controlled study of people with high cholesterol, activated charcoal effectively lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels.³

• Reduces the effects of radiation—Activated charcoal attaches to radionuclides similarly to other toxins through adsorption.

• Improves skin - When applied topically, activated charcoal can draw oils, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from the pores, leaving skin clean, clear, and less prone to breakouts.

• Whitens teeth - Activated charcoal can be used to whiten teeth, but apply a paste and rinse instead of brushing with it because it is abrasive to tooth enamel.

• Anti-aging - With a reduced toxic load, the body experiences less of the oxidative damage that drives the aging process. In the same way, it may help prevent cellular damage to our natural detox organs (the kidneys and liver) and support adrenal gland health.

• Purifies water and air - Activated charcoal can remove contaminants from water, and virtually every air filter has a carbon filter that works similarly.

Pro Tips

• Take activated charcoal away from prescription drugs and supplements. If you take it with a meal, you may block some nutrient absorption.

• Taking activated charcoal at night before bed can help clear out toxins from the gastrointestinal tract.

• Use activated charcoal before or shortly after a sauna session to absorb toxins released as the detox pathways open through sweating and increased circulation.

• It is crucial to stay hydrated when using activated charcoal.

• Activated charcoal is not for everyday use. Use it sparingly and for targeted purposes.

Note: I am not a doctor and do not provide medical advice. Consult a trusted healthcare professional before taking any supplement. If you decide to add activated charcoal to your detox toolkit, here are some options.

Ozonated Activated Charcoal from Global Healing - $29.95

Activated Charcoal from Country Life - $14

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The Daily Habit is where I share my habits related to the fundamentals: sleep, diet, physical activity, mindfulness, and stress management.

To support a healthy gut and detoxification, include these four food types in your diet:

1. Soluble fiber: Apples, citrus fruits, psyllium husk, flaxseeds, beans and lentils

2. Insoluble fiber: Vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, skins of fruits and vegetables.

3. Prebiotics: Asparagus, bananas, onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes

4. Probiotics: Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi

If you are more carnivore-leaning, consider collagen-rich foods like bone broth and gelatin.

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With the new referral program, you can earn perks like a complimentary Club Membership and other goodies by unlocking three tiers:

• Get a 1-month complimentary membership to the Be Wellthy Club for 3 referrals.

• Get a 3-month complimentary membership to the Be Wellthy Club and receive a book from my personal library for 6 referrals.

• Get a 6-month complimentary membership to the Be Wellthy Club and a goodie bag prize for 15 referrals.

By the way, if you’re already a Club Member, the free months will be added to the end of your subscription. You'll get credit for new subscribers (free or paid) when you use the referral link below or the “Share” button on any post. Send the link in a text or email, or share it on social media with friends.

While signed into your Substack account, you can visit the leaderboard that shows you how many referrals you have.

To learn more about the referral program, check out Substack’s FAQ.

Thank you for helping get the word out about Be Wellthy!

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Last week’s answer

Be Wellthy Club entrants: Mark P., Scott L., Ariel E., Scott S.

Raffle prizes are for Be Wellthy Club Members only. Club members can email bewellthy@substack.com with the correct answer to each week’s brain training and be entered into a monthly raffle to win one of two prize packages every month. I do respond to every email.

This week:

Which three digits are represented by X, Y, and Z in this sum? Hint: None of the digits are 5, 6, or 7.

X X X X

Y Y Y Y

+ Z Z Z Z

—————

Y X X X Z

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It’s Martin Luther King Jr Day, and rather than repost what I’ve written before, I will share this newsletter from four years ago. By the way, have you heard U2’s updated version of Pride (In the Name of Love)? Let me know how you think it compares to the original.

Keep your loved ones informed with the most up-to-date information about wellness by sharing this newsletter.

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26409027/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3521259/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2612535/