If you have ever used sea moss, you have probably noticed some side effects. Although, this may sound a bit surprising to many of us, but a lot of people experience adverse side effects with many types of sea food, including sea moss.
However, for those of us who consume sea moss regularly, we may notice these side effects only during the initial course of use. But it is not an uncommon occurrence to notice occasional sea moss side effects or allergies.
So, can sea moss make you sick? Sea moss can have a range of side effects so they are worth learning about. This would enable you understand how your body reacts to it and make you better informed on how best to manage it.
Under certain conditions, sea moss can make you sick. Sea moss have often been reported to have a whole range of side effects ranging from mild effects like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, fatigue, changes in menstrual cycles to more severe cases like acute anaphylactic shock.
I’ve experienced quite a handful of these effects that made me go the extra mile to research more about it. So, in this article, we will look at:
- Common sea moss side effects
- Detox symptoms that is often normal
- Allergic symptoms to watch out for
Related:
- Real Vs Fake Sea Moss: 14 Ways To Tell Your Sea Moss Is fake
- Can Sea moss make you sick? 14 Side Effects of Sea Moss to Watch Out for
- What is Sea Moss Good For?
- How to Make Sea moss Gel – Two Ways!
- How is Sea Moss Grown, Harvested and Processed? What You Need to Know
- How is Sea Moss Good for your Body?
- Is Sea moss Really Healthy? Signs that Tell Sea moss Could be Bad for You
Can sea moss make you sick?
Sea moss can make you feel sick especially if you are new to it. Sea moss side effects can range from a whole lot of gastrointestinal tract symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, constipation, to other minor symptoms like fatigue, headaches, break outs, cough, and even menstrual cycle disturbances.
Oftentimes, many of these symptoms are caused by the presence of Iodine. Iodine is found highly concentrated in sea moss. DI-Iodothyronine (DIT), a product of the breakdown of T3 (a thyroid hormone) is found abundantly in sea moss.
These hormones play a role in many of the symptoms we experience when using sea moss. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of thyroid hormonal imbalance or regulation.
For this reason, sea moss has been used from time immemorial to treat cases of thyroid imbalance.
However, these symptoms are notably common for people with hyperthyroidism. Excess iodine may fuel the thyroid and create unwanted effects on thyroid regulation. So, its safer to begin with only little amounts of sea moss when starting out and gradually work your way up to the dosage your body can handle.
Let’s take a look at how sea moss can really make you sick.
How does sea moss make you sick?
Sea moss can make you sick in so many ways. Although they are often mild, a majority of the immediate symptoms experienced are gastrointestinal, but it can range from mental, physiological to even neurological symptoms.
Gastrointestinal side effects of sea moss
Sea moss has a whole lot of side effects that are easily noticed in the GI tract. Symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea, vomiting, farting, burping, gassiness, frequent urination, and stomach cramps.
While some of these can be minor, some others often become severe and can last several days.
If you are unsure of how your body will react to sea moss, be sure to take only small amounts of sea moss, not more than 1 teaspoon gel. After a couple of hours or days, observe how you feel and then, gradually grow to your tolerance level.
Does sea moss make you gassy?
Does sea moss make you fart? Sea moss can often make you feel bloated and gassy a few days after taking it. But this is nothing to worry about as these symptoms often subside within a few days.
Because sea moss often makes you gassy, you’re likely to fart all the time. For the most part, its best to stay home or indoors when starting out on sea moss for the first couple of days, as it can give you a whole lot of gastrointestinal and bowel disturbances.
Does sea moss make you feel full?
Sea moss contains a lot of fiber that keeps you fuller for longer. It also inhibits appetite, so it’s not an uncommon occurrence to take sea moss and not feel hungry for long hours.
This effect is oftentimes a good thing because it is great for weight loss. Sea moss can indirectly make you shed some pounds as it limits binge and emotional eating.
Can sea moss make you constipated?
Sea moss can make you constipated after a few days after taking it. Stool has often been reported to be “yellowish” with increased food sensitivities.
Can Sea moss make you Poop?
It’s a little worrisome to get to use sea moss for the first time and get awful, unpleasant effects. Can sea moss make you have diarrhea?
Sea moss is a natural sea weed that contains a lot of fiber. This fiber is very beneficial for gut health. So, sea moss can make you have a bowel movement. Sea moss is able to aid digestion and move stool through your GI tract. The fiber aids this process, and it’s easier to poop.
In fact, it has often been used as a great natural laxative.
If taking sea moss for the first time, try to stay home for the day and watch how your body react to it.
Can sea moss make you nauseaous?
Taking too much an amount of sea moss can make you feel sick to the stomach. You may experience nausea and vomiting, or stomach cramps.
While many of those symptoms are perfectly normal and usually subside within a few days, it is safer to discontinue taking sea moss if you experience them for longer than 2 to 3 weeks.
If you feel nauseous, try to increase your water intake. Alkaline water made from key limes helps a lot and you’d feel fine after a few hours.
Check Out:
- When is the Best Time to Consume Sea Moss?
- What Vitamins Are in Sea Moss? Untold Facts and Benefits
- What is the Best Way to Consume Sea Moss? [Gel, Powder and Pills]
Does sea moss make you vomit?
Sea moss may lead to vomiting if you experience nausea. Taking sea moss alone or on an empty stomach can often cause nausea and vomiting.
Rather than take alone, I advise taking sea moss as an addition to smoothies, teas, soups or porridges, especially if you always feel the need to puke or feel nauseous .
And if you are starting out for the first time, begin with no more than 1 teaspoon sea moss gel and gradually work your way up to 1 to 2 tablespoon maximum daily.
Can sea moss make you tired and Sleepy?
Can sea moss make you tired? Sea moss will often make you fatigued. You may find that you unusually feel tired, drained and sleepy. Sea moss could get you dehydrated, as it is a natural diuretic, so it’s best to take enough water while taking sea moss.
Sometimes these are detox symptoms that usually go away after a few days. If you often feel drained, tired and sleepy while on sea moss, try to get a lot of rest and drink enough spring water or homemade fruit juices.
Does sea moss make you dehydrated?
Sea moss could get you dehydrated, as it is a natural diuretic, so you should take enough spring water while on sea moss. Try to take at least 1 gallon (approximately 4 liters) of spring water daily. Sea moss on its own is a natural diuretic, and this is a valid reason it works great for detox.
Can sea moss make your stomach hurt? 
Because sea moss works a whole lot on the GI tract, its immediate effect are often felt in form of cramps in the abdominal region. This is probably the very first symptom you’ll notice. However, most people often report this effect as a feeling of being “full”.
Does sea moss make you itch?
Can sea moss make you itch? Sea moss can cause minor itching and break outs. This itching is often allergic as sea moss contains small amounts of Sulphur, in addition to iodine and other hormones that can impact autoimmune response.
Can sea moss make you break out?
Sea moss contains some nutrients that can make you break out in a rash. The rash can range from minor dermatological spots to severe acne-like break outs. This effect has its culprit in the Iodine content of sea moss, but sometimes could be an allergic effect and is common amongst hyperthyroid individuals and those with sulphur/sulfa allergies.
Does sea moss affect menstrual cycle?
Sea moss have been reported to have minor side effects on menstrual cycles. Because sea moss plays a great role in hormonal balance, it is not unsurprising that there could be hormonal disturbances with menstrual regulation, however this is promptly balanced within a few cycles.
Does sea moss cause headaches?
Sea moss often have some neurological side effects that can be linked to the brain and central nervous system. So, you may often experience headaches, dizziness, migraines, and lethargy.
Does sea moss make you urinate a lot or change urine color?
Sea moss is a natural diuretic and so, it increases frequency of urination. In addition, it typically changes urine color from deep or golden brown to a lighter shade.
How Often Do People Experience Sea Moss Side Effects? A Survey
So, we conducted a survey asking what particular side effects people who have used sea moss noticed.
While analyzing the data, we found out that 63% of people said they have experienced at least one side effect when they started using sea moss
I suspect in reality, that the actual figure for this is higher. So, side effects associated with sea moss could be fairly common and usually not a thing to worry much about.
On the other hand, 37% of respondents said they never experienced any side effects with sea moss.
Again, of the 63% who experienced various side effects from sea moss, a majority 46% noted that a majority of the symptoms they experienced were gastrointestinal.
Again, this could mean that one of sea moss most notable side effects are those that affect the gut, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gassiness, stomach cramps, etc. Headaches, fatigue and itching were also fairly common complaints.
Related:
- Real Vs Fake Sea Moss: 14 Ways To Tell Your Sea Moss Is fake
- Can Sea moss make you sick? 14 Side Effects of Sea Moss to Watch Out for
- What is Sea Moss Good For?
- How to Make Sea moss Gel – Two Ways!
- How is Sea Moss Grown, Harvested and Processed? What You Need to Know
When asked if they would continue using sea moss despite its side effects, more than 69% reiterated that side effects were normal as they would keep on using sea moss despite so.
When asked what they think could be the reason for the side effects of sea moss, while 38% believed it was due to allergies. The allergies they believe aggravate these side effects include
*Sulfa allergy
*Iodine allergy
*Sea food allergy
*Hyperthyroid individuals
*People with Graves disease
*Other autoimmune conditions
While almost half (49%) of those who reported symptoms believed the effects could be from the authenticity of the sea moss they consumed, another 28% believed the side effects could be from personal body allergies, while another 23% were not sure of the cause.
A majority believed consuming fake or pool grown sea moss may cause, worsen or aggravate unwanted side effects. However, the other 15% believed they’d be just fine once their body for adapted to it.
Final Notes
Sea moss has been shown to have certain side effects but these effects are often not defined and can range from a whole lot of gastrointestinal disturbances to neurological and even physiological effects.
One notable thing is that these effects are mostly experienced in individuals who are allergic to Sulfa and especially Iodine, since sea moss contains high amounts of Iodine. In addition, if you have thyroid imbalance or are on medication that contains iodine, you may want to cut back on sea moss, as this could get your thyroid out of control.
In addition, if you really have bad allergy, such as the type where you go into anaphylactic shock, you may want to stay off sea moss for the time being. Nonetheless, the benefits sea moss offers far outweigh its risks or side effects. It is a complete mineral and contains perhaps one of the most important nutrients – Iron.
As Dr. Sebi would say,
Anyone who is sick lacks Iron. Anyone who is sick is anemic.
If you have experienced any effects when using sea moss that you would like to share, please let us know in the comments.
Ciao 🙂
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/iodine-uses
https://www.healthline.com/health/iodine-poisoning
https://europepmc.org/article/med/2229854
https://www.today.com/health/irish-sea-moss-benefits-should-you-try-it-expert-weighs-t191022
The article says to take 4 gallons of spring water daily? That seems like too much water. Is it a typo?
Sorry, a typo. It is 4 liters of water (~3.8 liters) which is almost equivalent to 1 gallon of spring water daily
Thank you for the comment about 4 gallons of water. That is almost impossible for most humans. Glad you mentioned it here ( apparently you meant 4 liters ) … .but at some point shouldn’t it be fixed in the main article ?
Done now. Fixed.
Thanks.
Thanks for this article, myself and six year old daughter were camping in the bathroom we,both felt like crap. Throwing up, with severe diarrhea.
Sad to hear about this, are you still taking it?
Since taking seamoss, my leg has been having a tingle in it, more like a constant small pain. First it was in my feet, now in my leg. I’m always thirsty too, and Urinate a lot.
How long have you been experiencing this?
What can I do about the constipation other than that I love the product
Hi Ty,
Just take more high fiber foods (fruits and veggies) as well as lots of fluid, mostly water
Is sea moss good for fibroids and heavy periods with large clots?
Hi Angel,
Sea moss has alot of great health benefits, and sea moss has been shown to help with fertility as outlined in this post. https://alkalineveganlounge.com/sea-moss-and-female-fertility-does-it-help/
So yes, you can try with little amounts of sea moss and see if it helps
I started getting hot flashes about every 20 minutes. I am 53 and going thru menopause. I quit the Sea Moss and the hot flashes stopped.
Do you still take sea moss? I guess you can try the supplement
When taking the sea moss capsules, I started feeling hot, and I started to ask the people around me in the room if it was just me or them too, and they said it was just me feeling hot.
It’s likely your body detoxing.
Hi, Do you think some of the side effects could be a result of the body detoxifying? It makes sense with all the nutrients/benefits, if you take too much too quick the body is overwhelmed and can’t eliminate/handle the process and causes detoxification. Just curious what percent of side effects you think is detox. Wonderful articles about Sea Moss you have written, very helpful and in depth. I am so fascinated by this plant I have noticed quite a difference in just 3 days. I want to learn all I can. Thank you so much!
Hi Kristy,
Great! I think most of the complaints on the side effects of sea moss are detox rather than otherwise. Usually, many people see improvement after a few weeks of use as their body adapts. If you are concerned or experience only mild symptoms, you can try using it for at least a few weeks before drawing your conclusions.
I have mild headaches.
So, I’ve been taking Irish seamoss gummies…on day 3 I had nausea, elevated heart rate, stomach pains, diarrhea, cold sweats, headaches and body aches, fatigue and very irritable like I couldn’t even think straight…I just wanted to stay in bed. It kind of felt like I had food poisoning but without the vomiting. I’m currently upping my water intake to try and flush out whatever is going on.
The only allergy that I have is Sulfa but it’s only through medication though and not from food. Will this still effect my health negatively? The only side effect I go through is usually gas and small headaches but nothing major
I’ve been using sea moss about 3 weeks. I begin feeling gassy and my stomach upset. Im so glad I came across this article. Im allergic to sulfa and iodine. It was really beginning to work for me. I noticed less aches and pains. I lost a little over a pound. Im a pretty healthy 67 y o. Whose on no medication.
Hi Cheree,
Glad it was working for you, but since you have allergies, its okay to discontinue use. I advise incorporating other healthy parts of this lifestyle into your daily living.
I take seamoss two capsules a day.
I have constipation now
What can I do to become regular again?
I don’t want to stop the Seamoss
I receive energy in my daily life.
Thank you
Hi Kathy,
Try to incorporate lots of fresh green leafy vegetables as well as high fiber fruits like seville oranges and watermelons. Also drink lots of spring water
I just had my first spoon of seamoss..however it made me feel very tired and sleepy. also I notice my muscles were hurting a little bit around my left arm going to the back. It only lasted 30mins now it’s gone.
I had the extremely negative consequence of sea moss kicking my endocrine system into high gear, which was mimicking hyperthyroidism, and I unfortunately dropped a ridiculous amount of weight that was not healthy for my body. It took months to build up in my system, and is taking months to dissipate, and this whole experience has been disruptive and awful to say the least. Be forewarned, definitely talk with your doctor to see if this supplement is advisable for you before beginning to ingest it!
First time taking sea moss. I took 1 teaspoon at 9:30 am with hot tea.
Around 2 I started coughing a little from 2-7pm the cough got worse. At Around 4pm I got a headache. At 7pm I had a fever 100.0-101.4 with the cough. So now I am just waiting to see what’s going to happen next and how long it’s going to last.
Hi Samantha,
Sorry to hear about these symptoms, mostly typical detox symptoms. How is it going now?
Hi I have been having sea moss for just over 2 weeks , my legs have hurt and I keep going dizzy ? Is this a sign of not drinking enough do you think , as I have not been drink as much as I should while taking sea moss
Hello Amy,
If it’s been 2 weeks since starting sea moss, and you ain’t seeing any improvements, I recommend discontinuing it.
I have decided not to use sea moss any more. The side effects I had (very tired, bloated and nauseated) it s just not worth it for me. What I just found out was there is sulfa in it which I have a very bad allergy. Thank God my side affects weren’t worse. Although I think it’s a good herb for me it just isn’t worth it.
Hi Barbara,
Its okay to discontinue use if you have sulpha allergy. But that notwithstanding, its worth giving the alkaline diet a try (sea moss or not) for sustainable long term health
If the sea moss I made came out grainy should I take less than a teaspoon? I’m starting off so not really sure what to do ? I have a such a bad stomach ache and body aches is that normal?
Hi Patrice,
It’s okay to start off with smaller amounts and work your way up as your body permits. There’s no hard and fast rule about this, just don’t go overboard the standard dose
Why spring water opposed to any others ?
What does sea moss cure or heal in the body
Hi Ethan,
Please check this post learn about Sea moss benefits https://alkalineveganlounge.com/what-is-sea-moss-good-for/
Does the sea moss cause dryness in Virginia
Hi Linda,
I haven’t noticed sea moss causing that? Do you experience vaginal dryness?
I order some sea moss from one of his worker have not heard from anyone.leave a message will call you back 2days now .No One call back no one called me back maybe they too busy.
Hi Jeanette,
I seem not to understand what you mean? We do not sell sea moss and I wonder where you did order from?
Is it’s normal for my throat while taking sea moss have a burning sensation and my tongue feels hot also
Sure I cut back on taking sea moss if my throat is burning and tongue feels hot
Yes
I love this article. I’m currently going through fertility treatments and couldn’t figure out what set off all my gastrointestinal issues… I was so worried but this definitely puts me at ease. And seeing the Author who looks a lot like me, is also inspiring that we are mindfully taking care of our health through nutrition amen. My husband is vegan and I have been for a few days but I’m restricted in other areas of diet so I do include shell fish on occasion but nothing else and it is an incredible life to have all my illness including lupus in check.
That’s great LoRen!
Does it effect if you have cancer and are on chemotherapy to take sea moss gel?h
Please see your doctor before taking it
I’m new to sea moss. Two days in. Experiencing headaches, body aches, fatigue, frequent bowel movements and stomach tightness/cramps.
60yo AA female. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Hot flashes. My doctor said he believes its stress. Vegan. Mile walker bc I don’t drive. I am caregiver to my 95yo Mom who has dementia. I DO NOT want to be on meds. Dr suggested sea moss. Please tell this will stop!!
Hi Lynn,
It will stop. Believe me. I have been there. Asides sea moss, how does your dietary regimen look like? You mentioned Vegan – I hope you do know health doesn’t stop at being vegan? Are you whole food alkaline vegan or junk food processed vegan?
I’d say stop the sea moss for now and evaluate if you’re taking the authentic one (check out my post on how to detect that).
Hello I’ve been taking Sea Moss for about a month now , everything seemed fine , but about week or so ago, my legs have been hurting , with this tingling , going threw them both legs , think I may get just stop taking it see what happens
Discontinue use and see if things improve
Thank you so much for this 🙏🏽. I’ve been taking sea moss for about 4 weeks now. I get some acne from time to time. Definitely has me more centered. Does sea moss affect candida overgrowth? Thanks again.
Hi Sue,
Not that I have learnt of. Have you observed any other factors that could possibly affect it?
Hello…i been taking sea moss with bladderwack and i am on my third day now and have been having a heavy period and also very gassy and also kind of getting hot flashes. I will take just 1 pill for a while until i get used to it.
Start with 1 pill and increase as your body adjusts
Starting taking seamoss and bladderwack supplements. If I do not eat within 3 hours, my sugar level drops and i am extemely hungry. Trying to figure out if this is due to the supplement.
When and how do you take it? With meal? Before or after meal?
I was told this is good for the liver is this true now I have a lot of problems heart glands lymph node blocked fatty liver gallbladder with pallets any can this help me I just got the power what do you think thank you
Hi Rose,
Have you tried starting the alkaline diet? It’s not enough to go on sea moss alone, its just a part of it. Try to detox, then follow the steps to starting the alkaline diet by cleansing and detoxing before starting any herbal regimen. Sea moss may or may not be incorporated during the detox. I have a guide on how to get started coming up soon
I used seamoss twice as a face mask i left it on for 20 mins and washed it off like everyone else seems to be doing but then a day later my face is covered in spots and itchy bumpy rashes . Its been 5 days and it still wont go away????
Hi Layla, sorry about that.
Did you apply plain gel or mixed with any other ingredient? Usually, as with any new product, I recommend trying out first as a small patch. That said, you should discontinue use if it causes you breakouts
I started having a mild cough, seems to be getting little worse. I am raking sea moss now only every other day- about 1 TBSp. I’m pregnant at the moment and don’t want to take too much iodine. I’m thinking the cough might be caused by sea moss.
I would advise taking caution with sea moss in pregnancy. Make sure your doctor is aware if you’re taking sea moss or planning to. Sometimes, too much iodine could be detrimental in pregancy
I started taking sea moss 3 days ago, today my urine is brownish. Will this go away? I do t seem to have any other side effect symptoms at this time. Thank you.
Do you still experience it?
I have been taking sea moss for two weeks now. I have been having issues with diarrhea. Which isn’t an issue pending I suffer with constipation a lot due to prescription medications for pain/iron. Is it a form of detoxification?
Hi Shugga, It could be detox!
are you supposed to detox by changing yur diet before taking sea moss capsules
or do you do it while taking sea moss capsules with bladderwack and burdock ?
You do it simultaneously
I been taking sea moss gel for 5 days now and my energy has improved. The only thing I’m experiencing is headaches. Will this go away? I’ve been taking 2 tbsp a day. Is this detox as well?
Probably detox symptoms. How do you feel now? Are you still taking it?