Kambo is traditionally performed on an empty stomach to ensure the process is as smooth as can be. You need to fast for at least 7 hours prior to the session. Right before the application, you drink approximately one liter of water. This water acts as a 'vehicle' for the purge, providing a means for the body to clear itself effectively.
The session begins by opening small 'gates' on the top layer of the skin. This is traditionally done with a quick, light touch of a heated stick to remove just the top superficial layer of skin. There is no blood and generally no pain; most describe it as a minor sting. While traditionally done on the upper arm for men and the lower leg for women, the pattern and location are ultimately up to you. These points typically fade within a few months, and many wear them with pride as a symbol of their session.
While some of the effects may be unpleasant, it's important to understand that everything happening with kambo is a natural bodily function as a result of the various bioactive peptides linking up with specific receptors in your body - not adverse effects or an attempt to 'expel' anything. Kambo does not directly trigger these itself; your own body does as it works with the peptides. As it moves through your system, stimulating various glands, a number of responses happen - warmth, flushing, increased heart rate, and rushing in the head are common. Blood pressure is lowered which can occasionally lead to brief fainting - do not fear, you come gently down to the mat.
Within 5 to 15 minutes, you may feel the need to purge. It is important to note that this nausea is not a sign of 'being poisoned' or an adverse reaction; it is a mechanical result of smooth muscle contractions and gastric secretions . This allows the body to expel waste from the liver and cells more expediently than through the intestines, and is why some call it a 'detox'. While the thought of purging is often the biggest hurdle for newcomers, the afterglow that follows is usually described as profound and blissful.
After the purge is complete, the kambo is removed and the points are dabbed with Dragon's Blood (Sangre de Grado). This natural tree sap has been used in the jungle for centuries and research has shown it to have analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as greatly speeding wound healing. The experience usually concludes within 30 minutes, and you can have a nutritious smoothie and herbal tea to replenish. While you are fully functional afterward, taking it easy for the rest of the day allows the real benefits - feeling clear, energized, and rejuvenated - to manifest in the following days.
