What to Expect From a Kambo Ceremony and Aftercare

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Embarking on a Kambo ceremony is a deeply personal journey that requires preparation, intention and trust. Whether you’re seeking physical detoxification, emotional clarity or spiritual alignment, the experience can be transformative on multiple levels. At CAIM, we ensure that every step of your journey - from preparation to aftercare - is guided with care and expertise, so you feel supported throughout.

In this blog, we’ll explore what to expect during a Kambo ceremony and aftercare, how to prepare for the experience and the importance of integration and aftercare in maximising its profound benefits. Whether you’re considering your first session or seeking a deeper understanding, this guide provides the insights you need to navigate your journey with confidence..

What Happens During a Kambo Ceremony?

At CAIM, every Kambo ceremony begins with intentional preparation to ensure that the experience is safe, beneficial and aligned with your healing journey at that time. Before confirming your ceremony date, all participants undergo a thorough screening process and complete a detailed health form. This allows us to assess whether Kambo is suitable for you and to provide personalised preparation guidance.

While Kambo is generally safe when administered by trained practitioners, it is not suitable for everyone. There are specific contraindications - medical conditions or factors that may make Kambo unsuitable, including heart issues, brain trauma, certain mental health conditions and pregnancy. Our team’s extensive training and experience enable us to confidently advise you on whether Kambo is the right choice for you and provide tailored support.

Potential side effects are typically short-term and may include dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea or temporary discomfort as your body processes the medicine. While these effects are usually temporary, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our practitioners will be by your side, ensuring you feel safe and calm throughout the ceremony.

Our Kambo is ethically sourced from the Matsés tribe through the International Association of Kambo Practitioners (IAKP), ensuring that those who harvest and care for the frogs and their habitat are respected and supported. This sustainable sourcing helps preserve the cultural integrity of the medicine and promotes the well-being of the communities that provide it.

At CAIM, your safety and well-being are our top priority. We are here to guide you with respect, care and expertise on this transformative journey.

The Ceremony Process

At CAIM, we emphasise the importance of preparing your body for the Kambo ceremony. In the days leading up to your ceremony, we recommend adopting a low-fat, low-protein diet focused on fresh fruits and vegetables, while avoiding processed foods, drugs and alcohol. We also provide detailed guidance on additional preparation aspects to ensure your body is ready for the experience.

Adequate rest and hydration are crucial during this time. Participants should follow a 12-hour fast before the ceremony, allowing the body to be fully receptive to the medicine. While fasting from food, water intake is permitted, though it should be limited to prepare the body for the purging process. Depending on the style of treatment, you may be asked to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water just before the ceremony begins.

The Kambo ceremony itself involves several stages:

1. Gates: Small, superficial burns are made on the skin, to create pathways that allow the Kambo secretion to enter the lymphatic system. These burns are not deep and serve as a conduit for the medicine to enter the body.

2. Water: Hydration is vital as it helps the body process the detoxification process. Water acts as a facilitator, helping to flush toxins from the body and ensuring that the body can handle the intense effects of the Kambo experience.

3. Application: Once the gates are prepared, the Kambo secretion is applied. This initiates the cleansing process, which can involve both physical and emotional purging. Common manifestations include vomiting, sweating or bowel movements, but not everyone will experience all of these. Emotional and energetic purging is equally powerful and may occur without physical release.

4. Duration: The initial effects of the medicine typically last 20–40 minutes, after which there is a period of rest and recovery. This allows your body to balance and we encourage participants to rest and integrate the experience in the following hours.

What to Expect During and After

During your Kambo ceremony, you may experience various sensations, including:

• Increased heart rate

• Warmth or tingling sensations in the body

• Temporary nausea or dysphoria (discomfort)

• Facial flushing

• Purging (vomiting, sweating or bowel movements) as the body releases toxins

While the experience can feel intense, it’s important to remember that these effects are temporary. Most participants emerge from the ceremony with a profound sense of clarity, lightness and well-being.

It’s crucial to note that while vomiting or bowel movements are often associated with the purging process during a Kambo ceremony, they are not a guarantee. These physical purges should not be seen as the sole indicator of whether the medicine has ‘worked.’ Kambo operates on multiple levels - physical, emotional and spiritual - much of the healing occurs on deeper, less visible layers. Many participants experience profound shifts without outwardly purging.

If no visible purging happens, it does not mean the medicine has failed. Healing often takes place quietly and subtly beneath the surface. Additionally, the effects of the medicine may continue to unfold after the ceremony, with emotional or energetic releases happening in the days that follow. These post-ceremony shifts are an essential part of the healing process and should be embraced as part of the journey. Every experience with Kambo is unique.

Integration and Aftercare

At CAIM, we deeply believe that integration is just as crucial to the overall Kambo experience as the ceremony itself. Without proper integration, the profound transformations facilitated by Kambo can remain incomplete. The emotional, physical and energetic shifts that occur during the ceremony require thoughtful reflection and support to fully realise their benefits. This is why we are committed to supporting you long after the ceremony ends, ensuring that the lessons and healing continue to unfold in your everyday life.

Our aftercare program is designed to nurture your transformation and help you carry its benefits forward. An insight into what it includes:

Dietary Recommendations: To guide you toward nourishing, detox-supportive meals that promote recovery and ongoing healing.

Reflection Practices: We encourage journaling, meditation and other reflective practices to help process emotional releases and insights. These tools support deeper self-awareness and emotional clarity.

Ongoing Support: Open availability for check ins post-ceremony to answer any questions, offer encouragement and help you stay connected to the deep work you’ve done.

It’s normal to experience emotional fluctuations or unexpected insights in the days following the ceremony. In addition to our structured aftercare program, we encourage you to stay connected with nature and any spiritual practices that resonate with you. Spending time outdoors and grounding yourself can further enhance your healing journey.

Our ceremonies are:

Intentionally Curated: Every ceremony is carefully designed to honour the ancient traditions of Kambo, while also being personalised to meet your unique needs.

Expertly Guided: Led by a certified, advanced Kambo practitioner, our team prioritises your safety, comfort and care throughout the entire ceremony. We bring years of expertise to guide you through the process with the utmost respect for the medicine.

Holistically Supported: We provide ongoing support through mindfulness practices, integration guidance and personal aftercare, to ensure lasting healing and transformation.

Our ceremonial roundhouse, located at the heart of a private woodland, provides a serene and sacred space where you can connect with the wisdom of Kambo and the grounding energy of nature.

At CAIM, Kambo is not just a treatment; it is an invitation to return to yourself—to reconnect with the wisdom of your body, the depth of your emotions and the truth of your spirit.

At CAIM, we offer Kambo ceremonies for individuals, couples, private groups and community ceremonies - each honouring Kambo as both a sacred medicine and a powerful catalyst for personal transformation.

We are inspired by the potential for healing and growth that Kambo can facilitate. If you feel called to experience Kambo we’d be honoured to guide you, we invite you to explore our upcoming ceremonies and register your interest

May clarity, balance and renewal accompany you as you step into this transformative experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Kambo safe?

Kambo is generally safe when administered by trained practitioners. However, it is essential to disclose all medical conditions before your ceremony to ensure the treatment is suitable for you. We will assess your health and provide personalised guidance. If you have concerns, we encourage you to ask about our training and experience. All ceremonies are conducted under the careful supervision of Rory, a certified advanced Kambo practitioner.

How long does a Kambo ceremony last?

Can I do multiple Kambo sessions?

Can Kambo be used for specific health conditions?