There have been four high-profile deaths linked with kambo in Western ceremonies, and probably more that have not gone reported. In 2021 the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia banned the use of Kambo in Australia and classified it as a schedule 10 poison. It is listed in the category for “substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use”.

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Determining Hapé Dosage

There have been cases of liver toxicity, seizures, psychosis, and prolonged vomiting after kambo use . The secretion is then applied to small burns on the skin, to allow it to enter the bloodstream. Usually people will vomit or defecate within the first few minutes, and the nausea and disorientation will continue for some time afterwards. Traditional practitioners claim that it aids fertility, cleanses the body and soul, increases strength, and brings good luck to hunts, though there is no evidence for these claims. It is used by natives to who attempt to expel “panema” and to induce abortions. The secretions are also commonly used in people who suffer from laziness, a condition perceived as unfavorable by the Noke Kuin as the person stops participating socially. Pomada de peyote in English basically means “peyote gel.” This Mexican peyote cream or ointment, which also contains marijuana, is sold as a remedy for aches and pains, cramps, coughs, angina, and other conditions.

THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO CEREMONY:

Those that feel icky usually have a higher toxin load than others, so it’s important to listen to your body and address what is needed, if possible. Kambo is a very deep cleanse and it’s very important to be present with your experience when interacting. If you are looking for a kambo ceremony, search for an educated and responsible facilitator who will take your safety and wellbeing as a priority. This will not only maximize the chances of you having a positive experience, but will also raise standards of kambo facilitation and help the medicine become available to all.

Kambo is a secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor tree frog, also known as the giant leaf frog. The kambo secretion is collected by causing the frog stress and then scraping the milky substance from its back. The Australian Medical Association supports the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administrations ban on the sale, supply, and use of kambo, saying it considers kambo to be a “significant health risk”.

The Gift of Ayahuasca in Modern Times

In Canada, although extracted mescaline is illegal, fresh peyote and other mescaline-containing cacti are specifically exempt from scheduling. Peyote is also a Schedule I substance in Mexico, where harvesting the plant from the wild is controlled due to peyote’s endangered status. Surprisingly—and rather promisingly for such a powerful psychedelic—the legality of peyote is often ambiguous. In fact, studies suggest that mescaline may increase blood flow and activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain in charge of planning, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and behavior. It is hard to be precise, however, due to the varying levels of mescaline in any given peyote button. Growing location and season of harvest can also affect their potency, as can age—older peyote tends to be more potent. If you’re now interested in learning how to administer a soplada of hapé to someone else, check out our step-by-step guide here.