Kambo is a frog medicine from the Amazon rainforest that is rapidly gaining global attention due to its cocktail of peptides which are believed to support healing, health, intelligence and longevity; but it’s also surrounded by confusion, conflicting information, and a fair share of myths.

At Kambo International, we’re committed to clarity, safety, and respect, honoring both the indigenous traditions of the Amazon and modern scientific facts and understanding around the ability to heal the body and consciousness.

Let’s clear the air.

Here are the 10 most common misconceptions about Kambo.

Myth #1: Kambo is a hallucinogen or psychedelic.

*Kambo is powerful, but it’s not psychoactive.*

Let’s start with a big one: Kambo is not a psychedelic. You won’t see visions, meet your ancestors, or journey into alternate dimensions.

Instead, Kambo works directly with the lymphatic, immune, and nervous systems. From what we know, it doesn’t alter your consciousness, but it helps you see and understand it more clearly.

Many people feel grounded, emotionally lighter, or spiritually connected afterward, but that’s not due to a hallucinogenic effect. That’s clarity and calm returning.

Kambo is powerful, but it’s not psychoactive.

Myth #2: Kambo is only about physical detox.

Yes, Kambo clears the body—but to say it’s just a detox is like saying meditation is just breathing.

Beyond the many physical healing properties, Kambo is said to help support a rebalance of the nervous system, clear emotional blockages, and reconnect people with a deeper sense of self. The purge may be physical, but the healing often goes far beyond.

True healing happens on more than one level—body, mind, and energy.

Myth #3: You always have to vomit or purge for it to ‘work.’

Some people sweat. Some cry. Some people shake. Not all releases are visible.

While vomiting is common and believed to be one of the laws of Kambo, it’s not required for receiving the benefits of Kambo. We do support people to purge upwardly, but we don’t chase the purge. The body knows how to release what needs to move. And sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs and awarenesses come without a single drop in a bucket.

The most powerful shifts are sometimes the quietest.

*Find a practitioner near you in the* *Kambo International Directory*

Myth #4: Anyone can give or receive Kambo without training or screening.

This is not only untrue—it’s dangerous.

Kambo affects the heart rate, blood pressure, and nervous system. It must be administered by a certified, trauma-informed, and safety-trained practitioner who understands contraindications and how to support all layers of the experience.

We make sure to include the following in our training so that all bases are covered:

Medical intake and screening
Emergency response protocols
Ethics and indigenous respect
Emotional safety and integration

Myth #5: The frog is harmed when the secretion is collected.

This is one of the most persistent myths; and we’re glad to say it’s false when done correctly. We work directly with the Matses tribe, and have in fact harvested Kambo with them.

When harvested correctly and with the utmost respect:

The frog is never harmed
No chemicals are used
The frog is gently handled and returned to the forest
Traditional practices are upheld by indigenous communities

At Kambo International, we source from the indigenous Matses tribe that protect the frogs, the forest, and the tradition.

No frogs are harmed when the secretion is honored.

Myth #6: More Kambo is better.

Healing isn’t about pushing limits, it’s about listening deeply. The correct amount of medicine is neither too little nor too much.

A skilled practitioner aims to get just the right amount and work on that with each specific client to meet their individual needs.

More medicine doesn’t equal better results. In fact, overuse can lead to unhelpful consequences. Many of the most profound sessions are gentle, slow, and intentional. Less can be more.

Transformation doesn’t need to be intense to be real.

Myth #7: Kambo is a cure-all for any illness or issue.

Kambo is not a magic bullet. It’s a powerful tool, but one amazing tool among many.

It may support immunity, mental health, emotional resilience, and energy regulation—but it’s not a substitute for medical treatment, therapy, or long-term care when this is what is required.

Kambo supports your healing. It doesn’t replace your responsibility.

Myth #8: Kambo can be used in place of emergency medicine.

Kambo is not a crisis intervention.

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, trauma, or psychiatric episode, your first stop should be professional or emergency care—not a ceremonial circle.

Ceremony can help after stabilization, but it is not a substitute for urgent support.

Indigenous medicine and modern medicine can co-exist, but know when to use each.

Myth #9: You need a dramatic purge or emotional breakdown for Kambo to ‘work.’

Healing doesn’t have to be loud to be real. There’s a misconception that you have to throw up, cry uncontrollably, or collapse in tears for the medicine to do its job.

This creates unnecessary pressure and even performative experiences. In truth, some of the deepest healing is much more subtle.

At Kambo International, we teach practitioners to recognize all forms of release—visible or not.

Stillness can be the most beautiful healing process.

Myth #10: Kambo is only for people in crisis.

While Kambo has helped many people in moments of deep struggle—chronic illness, trauma, grief—it is not only for crisis.

People come to Kambo for so many reasons and when they are called - there seems to be no turning back. These reasons may include Insight, clearing negative energy (we may refer to this as anxiety or depression), physical ailments, life transitions - and many more.

This medicine meets people wherever they are. It doesn’t require suffering as an entry point.

Kambo is for anyone ready to deepen their clarity and connection.

Bonus Myth: Kambo is a sacred plant medicine like ayahuasca.

It’s a common misunderstanding in the West that Kambo is held by Amazonian tribes in the same ceremonial or spiritual context as ayahuasca or even tobacco - which are both considered sacred plant medicines in the Amazon tribes. In truth, the Matses and other Indigenous groups view Kambo more as a powerful folk medicine, passed down through generations as part of practical, community-based healing traditions.

At Kambo International, we honor this nuance. We treat Kambo with deep reverence, not because it’s considered “sacred,” but because we hold the Kambo practise with a high level of respect, care, and ethics.

Kambo is folk medicine rich in ancestral wisdom—worthy of reverence, even if not defined as sacred by its original stewards.

Final Thoughts: Truth Over Trend

Kambo is not a trend. It’s not a quick fix. And it’s definitely not for everyone.

But when approached with intention, integrity, and expert guidance, it can be one of the most powerful allies on a healing path. At Kambo International, we’re here to hold that space with safety, humility, a modern understanding within our own culture and a deep respect for the indigenous traditions that have preserved this medicine for generations.

Want to Learn More?

Explore upcoming trainings, integration tools, and ceremonial offerings at www.KamboInternational.com.

Thank you for reading, “Kambo Debunked” was written by Ginny and Steve of Kambo International.

10 most common misconceptions about Kambo (and 1 Bonus Fact!)