Is Kambo dangerous?

Kambo is very safe but should always be taken with a properly trained person administering and supervising the treatments at all times. Certain health conditions prevent some people from taking Kambo just like some situations require special precautions. Please read carefully the considerations section on this site, it is very important that you share your whole health history with your practitioner. If something is not clear or you don’t understand, please ask.

What does Kambo do to the body?

Indigenous people have used Kambo for centuries to heal and cleanse the body by strengthening its natural defenses and warding off bad luck. It was also believed to increase stamina and hunting skills.

What is Hapé?

Rapé, a diverse group of smokeless tobacco products indigenous to South America, is generally used as a nasal snuff and contains a substantial amount of plant material with or without tobacco. Previously uncharacterized, rapé contains addictive and harmful chemicals that may have public health implications for users.

How long do the effects of Kambo last?

Symptoms can range in severity. They typically last from 5 to 30 minutes, though they can last for up to several hours in rare cases.

Can I drive after Kambo?

A typical Kambo ceremony lasts about 2-3 hours. The time spent at the peak of the cleansing and purgative process can be as short as 10 minutes and as long as a couple of hours. Please allow an additional 2 hours for rest post-ceremony before driving or attending any appointments.

Where do you put a Kambo?

During the Kambo ritual, a practitioner will burn small points into the top layers of the skin using the end of a burning stick. They will then apply a small amount of Kambo medicine to each burn. The shoulder is the typical location for Kambo administration, but some practitioners may also apply it to the back, legs, or feet.

How much does a Kambo session cost?

How Much Does Kambo Treatment Cost? Kambo treatments don't come cheap. They can often run between $100 and $500 USD depending on the style of treatment and your practitioner. Many people purchase numerous Kambo sessions in bulk, which reduces the price per session.

Is Kambo good for anxiety?

Kambo can be beneficial in dealing with depression and anxiety.”

What happens when you take Kambo?

Kambo is a poison. For this reason, it could cause vomiting, sweating, and a rapid heart rate. There have also been reported cases of death following a cleanse. Even applying it topically can cause death, as the skin absorbs the toxins

Is Kambo hallucinogenic?

No. Kambo is not psychoactive so it does not produce hallucinations but can produce a short altered state of reality in some people. Many report receiving insights and messages about living a healthier life.

How often should I do Kambo?

It all depends on what you are looking to achieve from the treatment. Some traditions recommend doing Kambo every new moon to maintain a healthy immune system. According to the Matses, “When things aren’t going right in your life, it’s the right time to take Kambo”.

Can it be detected in a drug test?

Peptides are notoriously difficult to test for.  Dermorphin, for instance, which has become an illicit performance enhancer for racehorses, can only be detected by specialist labs. Although Kambo contains opioid receptor agonists, it doesn’t contain any opiates. It is therefore extremely unlikely to be detected in a drug test.

Can Kambo cause psychological trauma?

Kambo can feel psychologically challenging for some people during the session if there is something they are currently dealing with in their lives, however these sensations do not linger after the session is over. There may also be a feeling of drunkenness or dissociation. For the most part, however, Kambo is not psychoactive.

Are there risks?

Kambo is relatively safe when properly applied to healthy individuals. However, it is likely unsafe for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart problems, and patients either recovering from surgery or taking immuno-suppressants for an organ transplant. It should also be avoided by chemo- and radiotherapy patients, including those planning to start treatment within four weeks. For more information, see Pharmacology.

Will it leave scars?

Although Kambo scars fade over time, they won’t disappear completely. Aftercare balms such as sangre de drago may help to improve their appearance. Alternatively, the same points can be used within 2-3 months of the previous application.

Can I keep the frogs at home?

P. bicolor can be kept as pets, but they’re not an amphibian for beginners. Captive specimens also don’t appear to secrete the same kind of venom as those in the wild—possibly due to dietary differences.

Can I use Kambo to microdose?

There’s very little information on micro dosing with Kambo, but some consider it dangerous. Purging (i.e. with large doses) is thought essential for releasing toxins.

Does it produce tolerance?

Frequent users build up a tolerance for Kambo. Some Katukina men take more than 100 points at a time (Beginners receive 1 or 2 points).  Anecdotal reports suggest that Sananga and ibogaine can reverse the tolerance effect.

Can I mix it with other substances?

Kambo is not a drug and is often used in conjunction with ayahuasca because advanced purging helps to optimize absorption. The vasodilating peptides phyllomedusin and phyllokinin also serve to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

Kambo may also be taken with certain psychoactive snuffs, including nu-nu and rapé, as well as ibogaine.

The safety of combining Kambo with other substances is not entirely known, but alcohol should be avoided. It’s also recommended to avoid recreational drugs for at least three days after Kambo has been applied.

Who must be cautious when taking Kambo?

  • People taking immune suppressants for autoimmune disorders

  • People taking slimming, serotonin, or sleeping supplements

  • Active drug or alcohol addiction

  • Long-term or water fasting for 7 days before or after Kambo other than the required fasting

  • Colonics, Enemas, liver flushes, or any water-based detox should be avoided within 3 days on either side of taking Kambo

Who cannot safely take Kambo?

  • People with serious heart problems

  • People who have had a stroke

  • People on medication for low blood pressure

  • People who’ve had a brain hemorrhage

  • People who have aneurysms or blood clots

  • People who lack the mental capacity to make the decision to take Kambo

  • People with serious mental health problems excluding depression and anxiety

  • People undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for 4-6 weeks afterward

  • People who take immune suppressants for organ transplant

  • Women who are pregnant or maybe so.

  • Women who are breastfeeding a child under 6 months old

  • People with Addison’s disease

  • People with current and severe Epilepsy

  • Are recovering from a major surgical procedure

  • Under 18s

  • Animals

Ask Us 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I am happy to discuss any concerns or questions you may have