Kambo — The medicine of the Amazonian frog

What is Kambo?

Kambo is the skin secretion of the Amazonian frog Phyllomedusa bicolor. It contains several bioactive peptides and is traditionally applied to small superficial points made on the skin, known as "gates", to allow absorption. Kambo is not a psychedelic : it primarily produces a rapid and intense physiological reaction.

The main reaction generally lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Including preparation, observation and rest, allow around one hour for the complete session. Redness, heat, swelling, sweating, nausea or vomiting may occur. Afterwards, some people describe a feeling of clarity, lightness or a "reset". These experiences vary from person to person and are never guaranteed.

Reported experiences and feelings

• Sense of purification — feeling of having gone through an intense and releasing bodily experience
• Clarity and lightness — sense of lifted "fog" or greater presence after resting
• Renewed focus — impression of regaining momentum, vitality or a sense of renewal
• Emotional movement — some people describe a release or a realisation
• Ritual passage — in some traditions, Kambo is used as a symbolic preparation before another stage of the journey

These descriptions reflect individual experiences and traditional uses. The secretion contains bioactive peptides studied in laboratories, but this research does not demonstrate that the ceremony removes stored toxins, strengthens the immune system or treats a physical or psychological condition. Serious complications have been reported in the medical literature and their actual frequency is unknown. Kambo is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.

How does a ceremony unfold?

1. Preparation: fasting and hydration instructions are provided before the session and must be followed carefully, without excessive water intake.
2. Superficial points: the facilitator makes small points on the skin. Sensation varies and is generally described as brief heat or tingling.
3. Application: Kambo is placed on the points to allow its bioactive peptides to be absorbed.
4. Reaction: heat, swelling, an accelerated heartbeat, nausea or vomiting may occur. Their intensity varies, they must not be trivialised and they are continuously monitored.
5. Rest: the main reaction generally fades after 30 to 45 minutes. The complete session lasts around one hour and the rest of the day is devoted to rest.

Who can participate?

Main strict contraindications — non-exhaustive list :

• Heart disease, recent stroke, cardiac surgery
• Severe hypertension
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding
• Severe mental disorders
• Cancer under active treatment (chemotherapy)
• Minor

A health questionnaire is required before acceptance, with advice from a partner physician when a sensitive issue is identified. This assessment does not replace advice from your own doctor.

Why with Connecta Life?

Kambo is offered as an option during our retreats or in an individual session. Our approach :

• Facilitators trained in IAKP / UIKA protocols
• Careful attention to Kambo provenance and respect for the animal
• Prior assessment based on a health questionnaire, with medical advice when a sensitive issue is identified
• Supervision throughout the entire duration of the ceremony
• Post-ceremony integration included within the retreat, with a group online session 2 weeks after returning home

Frequently asked questions