FAQ

Q. How long is a Kambo session expected to last?

A. The symptoms of Kambo typically last about 20 minutes. Although the symptoms of Kambo only last about 20 minutes, I ask that you give yourself 2-3 hours to include the other modalities offered, information, processing and rest.

Q. Is Kambo poisonous?

A. No. Kambo comes from the secretion from the Phyllomedusa Bicolar frog. The secretion itself is a complex cocktail containing a series of different peptides which are short chains of of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds.

Q. How is Kambo ingested into the body?

A. I will make a series of burn/blister points, going through the first two layers of the skin with a vine or unscented incense. This may feel similar to a bug bite. I will then mix the dried secretion with water and apply the dots directly to the blister points. Once applied, the secretion is entered into the bloodstream.

Q. What can I expect to feel during a session?

A. Some experience all or few of the following symptoms; It takes about 30 seconds to a few minutes (depending on where Kambo is placed on the body) to begin to feel the effects of Kambo. The first thing you will notice is heat flushing through the body (feels similar to if you stepped from a cold room into a hot sauna). From there you will feel your heart rate begin to speed up (climbing from 90-130 beats per minute). This may seem like a lot, but if you were to run down the street and back it would be about the same. Because of the vasodilator in Kambo you will experience a pressure sensation in the head, which will increase for a minute or two. You may feel a tingling or buzzing sensation (similar to a buzzing bee) in the ears mouth, tongue, lips and extremities. Some people will experience a tightening sensation in the throat, making it feel slightly difficult to swallow, but not breathing constrictive. This is completely normal. Some will also get what I like to call "T Rex" hands where the muscles in the forearms contract and pull the fingers inward. Give them a few minutes and they will relax on their own. All the symptoms I just mentioned will intensify for 3-7 minutes. After about 7 minutes the blood pressure will begin to drop slightly below normal, which is when the flu like symptoms will set in. This is similar to a flu that comes on really quickly then is over in 10-15 minutes. Some may need to purge , and some will have to go to the bathroom. Although a purge is not necessary to receive the benefits from Kambo, people will typically begin to feel better after they purge. If someone needs to go to the bathroom I will help them there because if you are a candidate to faint, this is when it'll likely happen . Fainting is the body’s natural response to evening out it’s blood pressure by forcing the body into a grounding position. Fainting will usually occur in about 10% of people and is completely normal. About 1 in 15 people will get what we call a “fit”, which is when a neuropeptide in Kambo crosses the blood brain barrier and will momentarily disrupt the energy of the nervous system causing unconsciousness and a slight tremor. This is not a response that would cause any concern for alarm, and the person will typically come back in about 30 seconds - one minute. Towards the end of the session, you may feel cold and may want to lay down with a blanket. The dots will be removed after 20 minutes. It takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to start gaining your energy back. Once you are ready, I will have you drink tea and honey or coconut water to get some electrolytes back in your system, then will close the session.

Q. What can I expect to feel After a session?

A. This varies from person to person. Some will feel drained for the rest of the day, and others will be filled with lots of energy and a sense of strength.

Q. How is the frog secretion gathered?

A. Giant waxy tree frogs have a distinctive ‘song’ that can be followed to collect them at night. Once captured, they are traditionally tied by the legs and harmlessly stressed to induce the secretion. The secretion is then scraped from the back and legs of the frog onto a wooden stick.

In the sticks we use, the frogs are held in hands where water is poured over them, which is attaching to the secretion. The secretion is then separated from the water then dried onto a wooden stick. When it comes time to use the secretion, it is rehydrated with water (or in some cases saliva) and scraped into little balls where they are then ready to be placed onto the blister points (a small opening going through the first couple layers of skin made with a vine or unscented incense).

Kambo is in the category of “least concern” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature endangered species database.

Q. Is Kambo PSYCHOACTIVE?

A.  Kambo is not a psychedelic and does not cause hallucinations, however for many it can be a very emotional, psychological or even spiritual experience. Many people experience “soft visions”, but it affects everyone in different ways and gives each individual exactly what they need.

Q. Is Kambo safe?

A. As long as there are no contraindications, Kambo is absolutely safe in the hands of properly trained practitioners. We do not recommend anyone receive Kambo from any persons without proper training.

Q. Is it necessary to drink a ton of water before/during a session?

A. No. We will have you drink 3/4 - 1 liter of water to help you purge if you need to, but not much more than that. The reason why we don’t have you drink several liters of water is because when someone drinks too much water, they are at risk of entering a hyponatremic state which is when there is a decrease in the sodium concentration of the blood. Hyponatremia can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. Your safety is important to us, so we want make sure you are as far away from a hyponatremic state as possible, while making the purge a bit easier.