Sometimes, it’s just time for a reset. It usually means beginning a diet, practicing meditation, or changing your environment. However, Kambo may be an unusual solution for a select few individuals seeking a complete life overhaul. In the West, Kambo is a treatment that uses a frog secretion and burns as part of the application. It’s a technique that’s becoming increasingly common. What does Kambo do for the body and mind? What about the safety of this frog-based cleanse? A controversial shamanic ritual is revealed here.
Kambo – what is it?
A specific Amazonian tree frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) is called Kambo (Kambô, Sapo) by its sections. The frog’s skin secretes a liquid containing over 100 different chemicals. Several chemicals trigger temporary hyperactivity of the immune system, most notably peptides. In general, Kambo treatments cause intense flu symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting.
Several Amazonian tribes have a shamanic tradition of using Kambo, particularly in the Brazilian Amazon. Kambo is the word used by the Kaxinawá people, although other indigenous communities also have their term for the frog secretion. According to local reports, Amahuaca, Katukina, Kulina, Yawanawá, Matses, Marubo and Mayoruna all practice some form of Kambo, whether for hunting or healing.
I cannot do justice to the diversity of perspectives and values placed upon Kambo by each of the Amazonian cultures in this brief article. But, in a broader sense, most scholars assert that Kambo removes “bad principles” from the body. It is common to experience a severe bout of vomiting during this “purge,” expelling bad principles and reviving the participant with good health.
There is a surge in popularity for Kambo “cleanses” in the West. Kambo is popular due to its believed healing properties; people with addictions, depression, and other serious health concerns undergo a Kambo detox to reprogram their immune systems and rid their bodies of unwanted toxins. There is no right or wrong way to describe physical or psychological buildup.
DoubleBlind co-founder Shelby Hartman is familiar with Kambo. He says: “I’ve never done anything like it. Physically intense, it can cause a variety of reactions, ranging from heart palpitations to hot flashes. There are no visuals, but it can be very physically intense.”
What is a Kambo Treatment?
During Kambo treatments, a practitioner burns charred wood or incense on the skin. Wet Kambo is then applied to open wounds. Kambo triggers an intense immune response within minutes, comparable to allergic anaphylaxis. There are several symptoms to watch out for:
- Fever
- Swelling of the face
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Urination
- Overwhelming emotion
A typical Kambo treatment consists of between five and six dots. In some cases, your practitioner might suggest more or less depending on your unique circumstances. Before Kambo treatments, many people fast for at least 6-8 hours.
Kambo ceremonies also vary in setting in Western cultures. It is common for Kambo rituals to be performed in groups, often incorporating music, as well as other new age practices such as yoga, crystal therapy, and sound therapy. Kambo treatments are, however, sometimes given in more clinical settings. It’s ultimately up to each individual to research and decide what types of experiences are most appropriate for them.
Does Kambo last for a long time?
The active effects of Kambo usually last between five and forty minutes. Some rare cases, however, can cause nausea, vomiting, and inflammation for several hours afterward. If Kambo’s symptoms last over a day, you should see a doctor. The sooner you get to an emergency room, the better. After bouts of intense vomiting, electrolyte-rich fluid is needed to keep you hydrated, and only a medical professional can provide the exact care and stop allergic reactions you may need.
Is Kambo Treatment Expensive?
There is a cost associated with Kambo treatments. The cost can vary between $50 and USD 400 depending on the practitioner and the type of treatment. It is common for people to buy multiple Kambo sessions in bulk, which lowers the price per session. There is no insurance coverage for Kambo treatments.
What is the Kambo Process?
There has been a tentative acceptance of Kambo by the plant medicine community, but it is completely different from a traditional psychedelic. Psilocybin and ayahuasca drastically alter your perception of reality and temporarily bring you to another. Psychoactive substances produce profound effects on the mind. Kambo, however, offers unique effects. It impacts the immune system more than the brain.
As a result of the peptides in Kambo being toxic, the immune system becomes hyperactive to eliminate them from your body, causing vomiting, inflammation, and flu-like symptoms. As a result of its ability to intensely activate the immune system, many practitioners describe Kambo treatments as “vaccinations.” The immunomodulating effects of Kambo peptides are becoming increasingly popular among researchers; they are currently being studied for cancer, pain, and addiction.
In addition to extreme physical reactions, the frog secretions may also trigger psychological reactions. Kambo ceremonies are popular in Western countries because of their feel-good effects after the purge. In addition to physical ailments, many people receive Kambo to purge old habits and ailments from the body. The bad, the harmful, and the ugly are believed to be vomited out.
While this may seem strange or extreme to some, it’s not uncommon to feel healthy after a purge, even in Western cultures. For instance, it’s not uncommon for vomiting to relieve migraine headache pain, and disorientation. The recovery from the flu may also be correlated with some types of fasting. Nevertheless, it is important to note that there is no science to support the benefits of either of these activities for treating either illness.
Hartman was nonetheless benefited by the classic Kambo purge. As a result of her Kambo experience, she recalls, she had more energy than she had ever experienced.
There is, of course, a slippery slope to a “purge.” The idea of “purging out the unwanted” may seem scary to those who are recovering from eating disorders. Even so, many people struggle with ailments as diverse as addiction, depression, chronic pain, and a myriad of other ailments who find the idea appealing.
Is Kambo Safe?
The popularity of Kambo is on the rise around the world without a doubt. But there are many risks associated with exporting this indigenous tradition. Health authorities report five deaths following the Kambo administration so far. Numerous researchers have called for a study to determine whether Kambo is associated with sudden death.
The causes of death in the cases thus far haven’t been directly linked to Kambo.
In most cases, this is due to ignorance of Kambo’s actual effects. While experimenting with alternative health treatments, especially one as intensive as Kambo, it’s important to remain mindful.
You should always consult with your physician or other health care professional before taking any medication or another treatment.