How to Choose a Safe Kambo Practitioner
Kambo is a strong medicine, and it deserves respect. When it’s served carefully to an appropriate audience, people move through a session safely. When it isn’t, things can go wrong, and there have been deaths after Kambo ceremonies. That’s why the two most important choices you’ll make are these: using your own discernment about your health and whether Kambo is right for you, and choosing who you sit with.
Here’s what I’d look for if I were choosing a practitioner myself, and the questions I’d ask before booking.
1. They Talk to You Before They Serve You
A safe practitioner wants to know about your health before you ever meet. That means your medical history, any medications or supplements, past experiences with plant medicines, and why you’re coming to Kambo. If someone is happy to serve you without asking any of this, walk away.
2. They Know When to Say No
Kambo isn’t right for everyone. Heart disease, epilepsy, a history of stroke, blood clots or bulimia, pregnancy, and certain medications can all make it unsafe. A good practitioner has a clear list of contraindications and is willing to turn you away, or ask you to wait, when something doesn’t line up. You can see my full list on the Benefits & Risks page.
3. They Start Small
More medicine doesn’t mean more healing. A careful practitioner starts with a small test dot or a microdose, watches how your body responds, and only adds more if it’s clearly safe. Be very wary of anyone who gives everyone the same large dose. I’ve heard of practitioners who serve everyone six dots (gates) right away, and I think that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s incredibly irresponsible, not to mention a possible waste of medicine. I wrote more about this in How I Serve Kambo.
4. They’re Careful with Water
Water is part of a Kambo session, but how much you need differs from person to person. Drinking large amounts can throw off your body’s sodium levels. Ask how much water they’ll have you drink, and be cautious of anyone who pushes you to drink far more than feels right. Practitioners handle this differently, which I cover in Different Ways of Serving Kambo.
5. They Don’t Mix Kambo with Other Substances
I once spoke with someone who’d been given a microdose of bufo (5-MeO-DMT) during a Kambo ceremony. How can a practitioner safely read your reaction to Kambo when you’re also under the influence of something else? A safe practitioner serves Kambo on its own and asks about any other medicines you’ve taken recently.
6. They’re Open About Their Training, and Their Limits
Ask where and how they trained, and how long they’ve been serving. A trustworthy practitioner will also be honest that Kambo practitioners are not doctors, and won’t diagnose or treat medical conditions.
7. They Stay with You, and They Follow Up
You should never be left alone during the active part of a session. A good practitioner stays present the whole time, knows what to do if you feel faint, and checks in with you afterward.
8. They Don’t Promise Cures
If someone promises Kambo will cure your illness, that’s a red flag. Kambo can support healing, and for some people the changes are profound, but honest practitioners don’t guarantee results.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
- Will we have a consultation call before the session?
- Which health conditions and medications mean you won’t serve someone?
- How do you decide how much medicine to give?
- How much water will I drink, and when?
- Do you ever combine Kambo with other medicines?
- Where did you train, and how long have you been serving?
- Will you be with me the whole time? What happens if I feel faint?
- What support do you offer during and after the session?
How I Keep Sessions Safe
- A consultation call is required before every first session. We go through your health history and medications together.
- I follow a clear list of contraindications, and I’ll tell you honestly if Kambo isn’t right for you right now.
- I always start with a microdose and build slowly, based on how you’re feeling and what I know about you.
- I keep water to safe amounts: your normal intake beforehand, and a measured amount during the session.
- I serve Kambo on its own, never alongside other substances.
- I’m CPR and first-aid certified, and I stay with you the whole time, and I offer support and check-ins after your session.
- My training: I trained in the Amazon with a member of the Matsés tribe, including a seven-day dieta in isolation, and I serve as a Kambo practitioner through Kambo Naturista. I’m not a medical professional, and I’ll always encourage you to involve your doctor.
If you’re curious about Kambo, the safest first step is a conversation. You can book a free 30-minute call and ask me anything on this list. If you’re wondering what Kambo can and can’t do for your mood, read my honest story about Kambo and depression.
Disclaimer: Kambo is not FDA-approved and should not replace professional medical consultation.
Curious whether Kambo is right for you? Book a free 30-minute call and we can talk it through.