Is Kambo For You?

Understand which conditions Kambo’s bioactive peptides may help with, along with essential safety guidelines and disqualifying medical conditions.

Kambo’s bioactive peptides can potentially help with the following conditions: 

Safety and Potential Risks

Person in a purple tank top showing fresh Kambo burn dots on their arm after a Kambo ceremony.

Kambo is a traditional practice, not a medical treatment or substitute for professional healthcare. Often referred to as a 'poison' or 'venom,' its peptides are non-toxic to humans and effective against parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

When administered by a trained practitioner, Kambo is safe. However, certain medical conditions may make it unsuitable for some individuals.


Cautions for Kambo

Caution is advised for individuals with the following:

  • Active drug or alcohol addiction

  • Fasting of any kind within 7 days before or after Kambo (excluding the required 8-hour fast)

  • History of esophageal sensitivity, including reflux (GERD), bulimia, chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) due to mold exposure, or past injury/trauma to the esophagus

  • Recent use of Bufo 5-MeO-DMT (within the last 30 days)

  • Undergoing colonics, enemas, liver flushes, or any water-based detoxes within 3 days before or after Kambo

  • Use of immune-suppressants for autoimmune disorders
    Note: This is not a disqualifying condition for those comfortable pausing their medication before sitting with Kambo.

Not Recommended If…

Kambo is not recommended for individuals with the following conditions:

  • Addison’s disease

  • Active alcohol or opioid addiction

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

  • Epilepsy

  • Heart disease/Heart attack

  • History of brain hemorrhage, aneurysms, or blood clots

  • History of mania, schizophrenia, psychosis, or other severe mental health conditions

  • History of stroke

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver disease

  • Pancreatitis

  • Recent use of Ayahuasca (within 3 days)

  • Recovery from a major surgical procedure

  • Severe esophageal conditions: Boerhaave’s Syndrome, esophageal varices, tumors, or untreated eosinophilic esophagitis

  • Undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy (within the past 4–6 weeks)