Safety Info
Safety is my number one priority and this begins prior to the session by ensuring via consultation you are not contraindicated and any additional circumstances that mean particular treatments should not be administered. I am trained and certified by the IAKP (International Association of Kambo Practitioners) and hold a current first-aid certificate.
Every week, kambo sessions take place globally by thousands, and are very safe when practised by a trained practitioner, provided you are not contraindicated. 'Overdosing' is not something that happens - that is not how this works and does not directly change or modify how your processes work like 'drugs' do. Additionally, the physical effects such as nausea (which is just one aspect - and sadly the most visible) are of a more 'mechanical' nature - not an adverse reaction or an attempt by the body to expel the secretion - the process is doing what it is supposed to do, even if this is not its purpose.
Generally speaking, there is not even an upper age limit for kambo - it's very safe even for old-timers provided their heart function is still robust (obviously though, more than this is consulted on). In the jungle, toddlers are even included in this tradition too without dire consequences - but we certainly wouldn't serve anyone under 18 in the West! As an extra precaution, a small test point is performed for first timers, just in case you had any doubts.
The following conditions should avoid engaging in kambo sessions. If you:
Have serious heart problems, including arrythmia, heart valve disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease
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Have had a stroke or a brain haemorrhage, have an aneurysm or blood clot
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Are recovering from a major surgical procedure with internal stitches
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Have major issues with doing cardio exercise
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Are on medication for low blood pressure (high blood pressure is generally fine – kambo can help support healthy blood pressure)
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Lack the mental capacity to make the decision to take Kambo
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Have serious mental health problems (excluding depression and anxiety – kambo may be able to mediate these)
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Are undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or have done so within the last 6 weeks
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Take immune-suppressants after organ transplant
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Have Addison’s Disease
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Have current and severe epilepsy
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Are under 18 years old
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Have certain types of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
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Have had anorexia or bulimia within the past year
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Are pregnant or may be pregnant – if you have been trying to conceive, a pregnancy test is recommended
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Are breast-feeding a baby under 6 months old
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Have had Bufo Alvarius (toad) within the past 8 weeks.
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Any previous esophagus tearing or bleeding, or at risk of esophageal rupture - see below
Note on esophageal rupture risks: Due to a very rare occurrence known as esophageal rupture, those with previous esophageal tear or rupture, a history of medical procedures involving the esophagus, hiatus hernia or neck/chest surgery to repair a hiatial hernia, major neck or chest injury recently, esophageal cancers/ulcers/varices, or portal hypertension, would also be contraindicated. Caution may be needed for those with recent or frequent prolonged vomiting, chronic GERD, longterm heavy alcohol consumption, and recent childbirth. It's important to note that any kind of vomiting, if heavy, could conceivably lead to this dangerous occurrence in people with such conditions, and is not specific to kambo.
An additional consultation will be given prior to the kambo ceremony to reconfirm and for you to honestly disclose your current health status. Please note, I am not a doctor and kambo is not a 'medicine' in the Western sense. I am a practitioner of kambo ceremony, and while a consultation is given for the purposes of ensuring safety, no expectation should be had about 'cures' or any particular health outcome.
Sometimes, people with infections may experience a 'herxheimer' effect, whereby symptoms appear to be flaring up, before they get better. This is a natural occurrence and can be thought of like the illness going into its death throes before it improves.
Sometimes, menstrual flow may increase for a day or so afterwards. Women may wish to avoid kambo sessions during their period as it could increase cramping (but is otherwise helpful for promoting healthy circulation and menstrual flow ❤).