How Long Do the Effects of Kambo Last? What to Expect After a Ceremony
- Shannon Brown
- Oct 5
- 6 min read
Kambo is known as a powerful Amazonian frog medicine that works quickly and deeply in the body. Traditionally used by those indigenous to the Amazon basin for hunting preparation, cleansing and resilience, it has now found its way into wellness and healing circles worldwide.
Yet one of the most common questions people ask when considering kambo therapy is simple: how long do the effects last?
The answer is layered. While the intense physical process of a kambo ceremony lasts less than an hour, the benefits often ripple into the days, weeks and even months that follow. To understand this, it helps to break down the immediate experience, short- and medium-term effects and the long-term impact of kambo medicine.
The Immediate Experience
A kambo treatment is considered short but intense. Once the secretion from the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog is applied to small burns on the skin, its peptides quickly enter the lymphatic system.
Duration: The peak intensity usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes.
Immediate physical effects: heat, flushing, dizziness, nausea, racing heart, purging (vomiting, sweating, bowel movements).
Emotional effects: resistance often arises — followed by a sense of release or a surrender to what is.
This purging process is not a side-effect but a central part of kambo healing. It allows the body to release toxins, stagnant energy and stored emotion. Once the purge eases, many participants describe a sense of profound calm, lightness or clarity.
Short-Term After Effects (First 24–48 Hours)
The first couple of days after a kambo treatment can be delicate. The body is adjusting to the cleanse and your entire system is recalibrating.
Fatigue and rest: It’s common to feel tired and crave sleep.
Digestive reset: Bloating, heaviness or sluggish digestion often give way to lighter, more efficient function.
Clearer skin and eyes: The detox effect is often visible.
Mood shifts: Some people feel euphoric, others vulnerable. Emotional material may continue to surface.
Supporting yourself with hydration, mineral-rich foods and gentle rest is essential during this stage. At CAIM we provide a detailed integration pack to support and guide you.
Medium-Term Benefits (First Week)
The first week can be referred to as a bit of a rollercoaster, for others it is smoother sailing. Once the body has rebalanced, many people notice a distinct post-Kambo “glow.”
Energy & vitality: A renewed sense of drive and physical stamina.
Sharper focus: Mental clarity improves, often described as a clearing of the “brain fog.”
Sleep: Deeper, more restorative rest is common.
Immune boost: Many feel more resilient against colds or seasonal illness.
Emotional clarity: With less mental noise, insights and self-awareness increase.
This is where Kambo shifts from being a cleansing medicine to becoming a tool helping people align their habits and mindset with their health goals.
Long-Term Impact of Kambo
While Kambo’s intensity is short-lived, its impact can last far longer. Many participants report:
Immune strengthening: The frog’s peptides, including dermorphin, phyllocaerulein and deltorphin, are bioactive compounds known to stimulate immune responses and regulate inflammatory processes. This helps explain why some people report fewer illnesses or faster recovery.
Emotional release: Kambo often helps the release of stagnant energy from traumatic events or unresolved grief. This healing continues to unfold gradually after the ceremony.
Life changes: Many people report letting go of addictions, shifting careers or reorienting their lives towards greater purpose.
Spiritual opening: While not psychedelic, Kambo can lead to heightened awareness, increased intuition and a deeper sense of connection with life.
That said, not everyone experiences these long-term effects in the same way. Integration, lifestyle and personal readiness all play major roles. There has to be a willingness from the participant sitting with Kambo for change, there are no short cuts.
Factors That Influence How Long Kambo Lasts
Why do Kambo’s effects vary so much from person to person? Several factors matter:
Individual health status: A body burdened with toxins, viruses or chronic stress may respond differently than one already in balance.
Lifestyle after the ceremony: Returning to unhealthy habits can blunt the benefits, while adopting supportive practices prolongs them.
Frequency and cumulative effect: Some people attend one kambo ceremony and feel lasting results. Others build benefits through multiple sessions spaced weeks or months apart.
Facilitation and environment: The safety, grounding and intention of the space are crucial. A skilled practitioner creates conditions and shares wisdom for deeper healing.
The Science Behind Kambo’s Peptides
Much of Kambo’s reputation comes from its unique biochemical composition. Scientific studies have identified dozens of peptides in Kambo secretion, including:
Dermorphin & deltorphin: Potent opioid peptides that interact with pain and mood regulation. They are many times stronger than morphine but non-addictive.
Phyllocaerulein: Influences digestion, circulation and the cardiovascular system. Helps explain the flushing and digestive reset many feel.
Sauvagine: Regulates stress response through the adrenal system, which may contribute to reduced anxiety post-treatment.
Phyllomedusin: Stimulates smooth muscle and contributes to purging, enhancing detoxification.
These peptides interact with the body in complex ways, helping to explain why the short intensity of kambo treatment can create long-lasting physiological and emotional effects.
Integration Practices to Sustain the Benefits
The medicine opens the door but integration is how you walk through it. To sustain the benefits:
Journaling: Capture emotions, insights and dreams in the days after.
Meditation & coherence breathwork: Keep the nervous system regulated and help anchor clarity.
Nature connection: Spending time outdoors mirrors the grounding energy of the ceremony.
Clean diet: Prioritise whole foods, hydration and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and processed foods.
Support & community: Working with practitioners, peers or integration circles helps process and anchor the changes.
For those seeking Kambo in Scotland, the Highlands provide the perfect backdrop - quiet, grounding and deeply supportive of the body’s healing process. At CAIM, we also offer optional integration sessions and retreats designed to extend the impact of Kambo into daily life.
FAQs About Duration
At its core, it’s the application of the secretion from the Amazonian giant monkey tree frog onto small gates on the skin - a process designed to cleanse, strengthen and reset the body. Download our Free Kambo Guide to read more than 30 short pages on everything you could want to know
Does everyone feel benefits for weeks after?
Not always. Some people feel subtle shifts, while others experience profound long-term transformation.
Can Kambo’s effects fade if I go back to old habits?
Yes. Lifestyle plays a huge role. Returning to a less nourishing diet is one of the main factors that may shorten the benefits.
Is Kambo safe to do regularly?
With trained facilitators, yes. Some people attend seasonal ceremonies, while others choose more regular sessions depending on their healing journey. At CAIM Rory is an advanced practitioner under the IAKP and together we can create a schedule that supports your needs safely and responsibly.
Guest Reflections
Many guests at CAIM have shared their personal experiences of kambo healing at CAIM. One participant reflected:
“After 21 years of being prescribed different anti depressants, seeing psychiatrists, CBT and self medicating with alcohol and drugs, I can honestly say was the medicine I've always needed. I woke the next day feeling like a different person. I’ve never felt this well.”
Another shared:
“I have experienced internal and external growth at an unwavering rate. My mind feels clearer to make decisions, I have let go of a lot of judgement that was holding me back from experiencing healthier family relations, I have trusted the calls of my heart more than ever before and most importantly, I have never been more excited to be alive.”
These stories reflect the diversity of experiences and the potential depth of transformation when Kambo is approached with respect and intention.
Your Path to Kambo
While the physical intensity of a kambo ceremony may last less than an hour, its impact can ripple through your body, mind and spirit for weeks or even months. Detoxification, clarity, resilience and emotional release are just the beginning.
If you feel called to explore this Amazonian medicine, CAIM offers Kambo ceremonies in Scotland, facilitated with care, integrity and deep respect for the medicine and the keepers of the medicine. Whether you are seeking detox, emotional healing or a reset for mind and body, Kambo may provide the transformation you’ve been searching for.
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