Imagine this: you're sitting on a rug on the floor. Candles are burning. You smell wood and something sweet. A bucket is next to you. Your heart is already beating faster, even though nothing has happened yet.
Maybe you're feeling that exact tension right now. You've read about Kambo. You feel it calling you. But you want to know what to expect. That's why you're looking for Kambo experiences. What does it really feel like? Does it hurt? Do you have to vomit? In this blog, we'll tell you the truth. What happens in your body, and what people often say. Without sugarcoating it, and without making it sound scary.
Not sure what Kambo is yet? Read What is Kambo? first.
In short
- A Kambo ceremony is short, intense, and physical.
- You often feel heat, a red or swollen face, and a faster heart rate.
- Nausea and vomiting are often part of it.
- The most intense part usually lasts a short time. Then it subsides.
- Everyone experiences it differently. No one can tell you beforehand how it will be for you.
Kambo experiences: what you can really expect
Every ceremony is different. Every body too. That's why we don't share individual stories here. We describe what often happens, and what people often say. That way you'll have a rough idea of what to expect. And there will still be room for your own experience.
Before the ceremony: the pre-ceremony tension
You haven't just walked in. You've had an intake and screening. Kevin read those himself. You've eaten light for a few days. You come sober. That morning you only drink water.
Still, you might be nervous. That's completely normal. Many people say that the pre-ceremony tension is greater than they had thought. You can just say that. You can read how to prepare well in Preparing for a Kambo ceremony.
How a Kambo ceremony goes
The opening and your intention
The ceremony starts quietly. There is an opening. You take a moment to reflect on your intention. What do you want to let go of? Where are you seeking clarity? That way you slowly get out of your head and into your body.
The dots on your skin
Then Kevin places a few small dots in the top layer of your skin. That feels briefly and intensely hot, a bit like a small fire. It's over quickly. The Kambo is applied to those dots.
What happens in your body
Then it often happens quickly. Sometimes within a few minutes. These are reactions that often occur:
- Heat. A wave of heat moves through your body, often from bottom to top.
- A red face. Your head feels hot and full. Your skin turns red.
- A swollen face. Your lips or eyes may temporarily swell. In the tradition, this is called being "kissed by the frog". It subsides again.
- Your heart beats faster. You can clearly feel your heartbeat.
- Sweating.
- Nausea and vomiting. That's why the bucket is ready. Sometimes you also have to go to the toilet.
In a study of 241 Kambo ceremonies with one facilitator, the face swelled up in about 7 out of 10 cases. About half the time, someone sweated heavily. Sometimes someone briefly fainted. That's why good guidance is so important.
It's not pleasant, and it doesn't have to be. But it is short. The most intense part usually doesn't last long.
The moment it subsides
After the wave comes the calm. You breathe more deeply again. Your body becomes heavy. You lie or sit still. Kevin stays with you, and takes his time. Altogether, a ceremony takes an average of 3 to 5 hours, including the opening and the post-ceremony talk.
What people often say
After the ceremony, Kevin hears many different things. A few come back often:
- Tired and empty. As if you've walked a long way.
- Quiet in the head. Many people say that it becomes quieter inside.
- Clear. Some say that they look more sharply at what they want afterwards.
- Emotions. Sometimes there are tears. Sometimes a laugh. Sometimes both.
- Mostly physical. Others mainly feel what happened in their body, and little else. That's just as good.
No one knows beforehand how it will be for you. We promise nothing. Purity Healing is not therapy and not medical treatment. You remain the owner of your process.
Who guides you?
Your ceremony is guided by Kevin Lorenzini. He has eight years of experience with Kambo, and has been guiding Kambo ceremonies for five years. During that time, he has guided many people during their Kambo ceremony. He has been learning one-on-one from Huni Kuin from a village in Acre for years. You can read more about them in Four Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon.
Kevin has a good feel for what happens in a space. In his own words: "As a child, I learned to feel the tension in a space with great sensitivity. That helped me survive. Now it is my greatest gift."
The days after
Plan nothing else after the ceremony. Take it easy. Eat light, such as soup, fruit, and vegetables. Do not drink alcohol and limit busyness and screens. Write down what comes up. Walk quietly in nature. Do you have a question? In the days after, you can simply send Kevin a message.
Honestly: Kambo is not for everyone
Kambo demands a lot from your body. Doctors and researchers also describe serious problems after Kambo. That's why you can only take part at Purity Healing after an intake and a screening. Kambo is not for you if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have serious heart or vascular problems
- have high blood pressure that is not stable
- have an active psychiatric condition, such as psychosis, schizophrenia, or a severe bipolar disorder
- have epilepsy
- use antidepressants or MAO inhibitors, without consulting your doctor
- are younger than 18 years
Do you use medication? Or have you been feeling down for a while? Then always consult your GP first.
Do you want to experience it yourself?
You can receive Kambo in a private session in Nuenen or Eindhoven. Or in a small group at Breath & Kambo, with Kevin and Erik van Tilburg (Purity Healing × Studio Purana). What it costs, you can read in How much does a Kambo ceremony cost?
Still in doubt? Then first schedule a free 45-minute introductory meeting. Then you can ask all your questions, including the questions you find scary.
👉 View the Kambo ceremonies and schedule your introductory meeting
Frequently asked questions about Kambo experiences
How long does a Kambo ceremony last?
An average of 3 to 5 hours. Plan for half a day, including arrival and the post-ceremony talk. The most intense part usually lasts a short time.
Do I have to vomit during Kambo?
Often yes, but not always. Nausea and vomiting are part of the physical reaction. A bucket is ready, and your facilitator is with you.
How do you feel after Kambo?
That varies. Many people say that they are tired and quiet inside. Others mainly feel their body. Plan nothing else afterwards and take it easy.
I'm very nervous. Is that bad?
No, that's completely normal. First schedule a free introductory meeting. Also be honest in your intake about how you feel. Then Kevin will take that into account.
Sources
- Thompson, Malcolm and Tegzes, Toxicology Communications (2022): retrospective study of 241 Kambo ceremonies
- Sacco et al., Toxicology Reports (2022): Kambo: natural drug or potential toxic agent? A literature review of acute poisoning cases
- Medsafe New Zealand (2023): Kambo: leave it with the frogs
- NPO 3, Spuiten en Slikken: Everything you need to know about a Kambo ceremony
