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Activated Charcoal really works!
I've tried small amounts of ingested charcoal here and there, usually no more than 1/8 teaspoon at a time and no more than 1/4 teaspoon per day. What I've noticed is that it seems to worsen this sensation in my sinuses that I associate with Vitamin A detox, particularly at night. It also seems to give me other weird sensations at night that make it difficult to sleep. I think it actually worsens my diarrhea as well (same thing seemed to happen with clay...these are both supposed to stop diarrhea though).
Based on the change in symptoms, I think charcoal is increasing the excretion of Vitamin A, but I think it binds very weakly to the Vitamin A such that it remains highly reactive once it reaches the colon, which causes diarrhea by irritating the colon.
It sounds as though charcoal might draw toxins directly from the bloodstream into the intestines (as opposed to it binding with Vitamin A that's already in the intestines due to bile). In my case, I think the charcoal is pulling additional Vitamin A into my intestines beyond what came out with the bile. Here's a mention of that process from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6620762/:
"The second effect is secondary elimination of toxin in the case of active substances that are subject to enterohepatic and/or enteroenteric circulation, both of which are interrupted by activated charcoal. In the case of enteroenteric circulation, this effect is termed “gastrointestinal dialysis”. In these circumstances the intestinal wall functions as a semipermeable membrane: toxins can diffuse out of the blood from serosal to mucosal onto the charcoal in the intestinal lumen."
A while back, I found a specific term for this process, but I haven't been able to locate it again. It's not an easy one to recall!
Because charcoal is basically burned plant fiber, I've wondered if regular fiber has a similar (but probably weaker) effect. I haven't noticed the same sensation that I get from charcoal when taking psyllium husk or acacia fiber.
I always thought it was strange that people on Garrett Smith's site claimed that charcoal made them feel better, when it always made me feel worse if anything. I've got a pretty strong vendetta on plant foods, so I suspect that those people that feel better on charcoal may be getting relief from all the plant compounds they're eating in beans and whatnot, similar to the livestock that benefit from charcoal additives when they're eating a bunch of plant compounds, and possible mold contamination.
I would be incredibly surprised if 1/4 teaspoon did something for diarrhea.
If you took a heaped teaspoon or more in one go and it didn't stop your loose bowels however I would eat my hat.
My family has used charcoal as a tx for various things my whole life and as a consequence I've had many doses tested out on me lol. Perhaps you're different of course, but I do think the amount you're taking us unlikely large enough to be effective.
Very interesting to hear about your sons experience! I've only just embarked on this VA adventure and havent been taking too much notice of AC though I have used it a few times in the evening before bed. I am curious to try once a day with meals and see how my symptoms fair. Thanks for sharing