What Happens If We Take Excess Shilajit?

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, unpurified shilajit can contain toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, posing serious health risks if consumed. Taking excess shilajit, even in purified form, can also lead to adverse effects and is strongly discouraged.

Quick Summary

Taking too much shilajit can cause digestive issues, dangerously low blood pressure, allergic reactions, and may elevate uric acid levels in the body. Using unpurified shilajit dramatically increases the risk of heavy metal poisoning.

Key Points

Contamination Risk: Impure shilajit contains toxic heavy metals like lead and arsenic, which can cause severe health problems, organ damage, and long-term toxicity.
Digestive Discomfort: Taking excess shilajit can lead to common digestive issues, including nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Cardiovascular Concerns: Overconsumption may result in dangerously low blood pressure, causing dizziness, weakness, and fainting.
Metabolic Impact: High doses can increase uric acid levels, potentially triggering painful gout symptoms, and may cause iron overload in susceptible individuals.
Source Purity: Always purchase third-party tested, purified shilajit from reputable brands to avoid harmful contaminants.
Moderate Dosage: Adhere to recommended dosages, typically 300–500 mg per day, to minimize the risk of side effects.
Personal Vigilance: Start with a low dose, listen to your body, and discontinue use if you experience any adverse reactions.

The Risks of Excessive Shilajit Intake

While shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a potent rejuvenator, modern usage requires caution regarding quality and dosage. Many people, in an attempt to accelerate its benefits, consume more than the recommended amount. This can lead to a range of mild to severe health complications. Furthermore, the market is flooded with low-quality or unprocessed shilajit, which presents an even greater risk due to contamination. Understanding the potential consequences is crucial for any user of this supplement.

Adverse Effects of Overconsumption

When a person exceeds the typical recommended daily dosage of 300 to 500 mg, several physiological systems can be affected. These side effects highlight the principle that more is not always better when it comes to potent natural substances.

Digestive Issues: One of the most common reactions is gastrointestinal discomfort. Taking too much can cause nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating as the body struggles to process the high concentration of minerals.
Low Blood Pressure: Shilajit is known to have a hypotensive effect, which can be beneficial in moderation, but becomes risky in large amounts. Symptoms of dangerously low blood pressure include dizziness, weakness, and fainting. This is especially concerning for those already on blood pressure medication.
Elevated Uric Acid: Excessive intake can raise uric acid levels, which is problematic for individuals predisposed to or suffering from gout. High uric acid can cause joint pain, swelling, and discomfort.
Iron Overload: Shilajit is rich in iron, which is typically advantageous. However, individuals with conditions like hemochromatosis, which causes the body to absorb too much iron, could experience iron overload from high doses. This can lead to serious liver and heart problems.
Hormonal Imbalances: Some studies indicate that shilajit may affect hormone levels, particularly testosterone. While this is often a desired effect in controlled doses, overconsumption could potentially disrupt the body's hormonal balance.

The Dangers of Impure Shilajit

The most significant risks associated with shilajit stem from unpurified or contaminated products. As a substance that exudes from rocks, raw shilajit can contain numerous harmful elements. Consuming such a product, regardless of dosage, is hazardous.

Heavy Metal Toxicity: Raw shilajit can contain heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury. Over time, these toxic substances can accumulate in the body, leading to organ damage, neurological issues, and long-term health problems.
Other Contaminants: Unprocessed shilajit can also be contaminated with mycotoxins, polymeric quinones (oxidant agents), and microbial organisms like fungus. These can cause illness and severe allergic reactions.
Allergic Reactions: Though rare with pure products, allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching, or even difficulty breathing can occur, especially if the product contains impurities.

What to Do If You Have Taken Too Much

If you believe you have taken too much shilajit or are experiencing adverse effects, it is vital to take immediate action. The first step is to discontinue use immediately and monitor your symptoms.

If you experience severe symptoms, such as an irregular or rapid heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or significant dizziness, seek immediate medical attention. For milder symptoms like stomach upset or a rash, ceasing consumption and allowing your body to recover is often sufficient. Always be sure to hydrate adequately.

Comparison: Purified vs. Impure Shilajit


Feature	Purified & Tested Shilajit	Impure / Unprocessed Shilajit
Source Quality	From reputable suppliers with third-party testing	Unknown or low-quality sources
Purity	Free of heavy metals, mycotoxins, and other contaminants	High risk of containing toxic heavy metals and microbes
Safety	Generally safe when taken in recommended doses	Unsafe for consumption, risk of poisoning
Side Effects (Dosage-dependent)	Mild and infrequent (e.g., minor digestive upset)	Severe and frequent (e.g., severe stomach upset, heavy metal poisoning)

Safeguarding Your Shilajit Experience

To ensure a safe and positive experience, it is important to take several precautions before and during use. The quality of your supplement and your personal health profile are the most critical factors.

How to Choose a Safe Product

Look for Third-Party Testing: A reputable brand will have its products tested by an independent laboratory and provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). This verifies the product is free of harmful contaminants and specifies its mineral and fulvic acid content.
Avoid Raw and Unprocessed Forms: Raw shilajit is not intended for consumption. Ensure the product you purchase has undergone a proper purification process.
Read Customer Reviews and Source Information: Investigate the brand's transparency regarding its sourcing and manufacturing methods. Avoid brands with vague information or products that seem suspiciously cheap.

Who Should Be Cautious

Certain individuals should avoid shilajit or consult a healthcare provider before use due to specific health conditions or life stages.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Limited research exists on its safety during these periods, so avoidance is recommended.
Blood Disorders: People with sickle cell anemia, hemochromatosis, or thalassemia should avoid shilajit due to its high iron content.
Hypotension and Heart Disease: Individuals with naturally low blood pressure or certain heart conditions should consult a doctor, as shilajit can lower blood pressure further.
Autoimmune Conditions: As shilajit can modulate the immune system, people with autoimmune conditions should seek medical advice.
Diabetics on Medication: Shilajit can interact with medications that regulate blood sugar, potentially causing a steep drop.

Conclusion

What happens if we take excess shilajit can range from mild discomfort to severe, long-term health problems. The side effects of overconsumption, such as digestive issues, low blood pressure, and elevated uric acid, are significant and highlight the need for careful adherence to recommended dosages. Critically, the consumption of unpurified shilajit is even more dangerous due to the high risk of heavy metal poisoning. To experience the purported benefits safely, it is essential to source a high-quality, third-party tested product and consult a healthcare provider, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions. Ultimately, responsible use, not excessive intake, is the key to unlocking shilajit's potential without risking your health.

For more information on the benefits and side effects of shilajit, consult authoritative sources such as the article from Healthline, "Shilajit: 9 Benefits, Side Effects, and More."

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common side effects of taking excess shilajit include digestive issues such as nausea and diarrhea, low blood pressure which can cause dizziness, and an increase in uric acid levels which can trigger gout.

Consuming unpurified shilajit is highly dangerous and can lead to intoxication from heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic, as well as exposure to mycotoxins and fungus. It is essential to only use third-party tested, purified products.

Signs of a serious shilajit overdose can include rapid or irregular heart rate, chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, severe dizziness, and extreme gastrointestinal upset.

Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have blood disorders like hemochromatosis, have very low blood pressure, or are on certain medications (especially for diabetes or blood pressure) should avoid shilajit or consult a doctor first.

Yes, although rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to shilajit, which can manifest as skin rashes, itching, or swelling. This is more likely if the product contains impurities.

To ensure your shilajit is safe, only purchase from reputable brands that provide a Certificate of Analysis from independent, third-party lab testing. This confirms the product is free from heavy metals and other contaminants.

For most healthy adults, a safe daily dosage typically ranges between 300 and 500 mg, although some studies have used higher amounts under medical supervision. It is best to start with a lower dose to assess tolerance.

Yes, studies suggest that shilajit can influence hormone levels, particularly increasing testosterone in men. However, excessive intake could potentially disrupt hormonal balance and cause unintended side effects.