Kambo. You have come across the word. Sometimes written as 'kambo ceremony', sometimes as 'kambo ceremonie'. People describe it as an intensive purge — of body and mind. But also as one of the hardest things they have ever done. This article honestly explains what kambo is, what it does, where the risks lie — and why many people ultimately choose a truffle ceremony as an alternative.
What is kambo?
Kambo is the secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog. The secretion contains bioactive peptides that activate the immune system and trigger an intensive physiological response. A kambo ceremony is not a psychedelic experience — there are no visions or altered consciousness in the classic sense. What you do experience: intense nausea, vomiting, heat waves, trembling and a feeling of extreme physical depletion — followed by a sense of renewed energy. The experience lasts 20 to 40 minutes.
How does a kambo ceremony work?
The facilitator burns small points into the skin — the 'gates'. The kambo secretion is applied to those burn points. Within minutes the response begins: blood pressure drop, heart palpitations, facial swelling, nausea and almost always intense vomiting. After that comes a period of rest. Many participants describe a feeling of emptiness or deep calm after the purge. The kambo ceremony is hard on the body — and that is the point.
Is kambo safe?
Kambo has a serious risk profile. Deaths have been documented — mainly from hyponatraemia (too much water before the session), medication interactions or severe heart problems. The secretion contains peptides that strongly affect blood pressure. People with heart conditions, low blood pressure, psychiatric conditions or use of certain medications must absolutely not participate. There is no official certification or oversight of kambo practitioners in the Netherlands.
When is a truffle ceremony the better choice?
Many people considering kambo are looking for the same thing: a deep sense of cleansing, reset or breakthrough. They want something that works. A truffle ceremony also goes deep — but the risk profile is fundamentally different. No pressure on the heart, no vomiting as a requirement, no burn points in the skin. The depth is emotional and cognitive, not physiological. Stef: 'Complete. Reunited with my inner child, and from there I feel a lot of energy and joy.' Daniel: 'Her professionalism is not in grand words, but in how safe you feel with her.' More on alternatives on the plant medicine alternatives page or in the psilohuasca blog post. Read participant experiences.
Is kambo legal in the Netherlands?
Kambo is not listed in the Opium Act — it is not a controlled substance. Offering kambo ceremonies is not regulated. There is no legal framework enforcing quality of guidance. Magic truffles are fully legal in the Netherlands and fall outside the Opium Act. A truffle ceremony at Stars Frequencies is professionally guided with a mandatory intro call.
The first step
Want to know whether a truffle ceremony suits you? Schedule a 15-minute intro call. Rosa answers your questions about the effects, the guidance and whether it is appropriate for your situation. Via WhatsApp or via the ceremony page.
Frequently asked questions
What is kambo?
Kambo is the secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog, applied to small burn points on the skin. It contains bioactive peptides that trigger an intensive physiological response: nausea, vomiting, blood pressure drop and heat waves. It is not a psychedelic experience.
Is a kambo ceremony safe?
Kambo has a serious risk profile. Deaths have been documented in people with heart conditions, incorrect fluid intake or medication interactions. There is no official oversight of kambo practitioners in the Netherlands.
Is kambo legal in the Netherlands?
Kambo is not listed in the Opium Act — it is not a controlled substance. Offering kambo ceremonies is not regulated. Magic truffles are fully legal and fall outside the Opium Act.
What is the difference between kambo and a truffle ceremony?
Kambo is a physiological purge via skin contact with frog secretion — not a psychedelic experience, but physically intense. A truffle ceremony works through the mind: insights, emotional processing, deepened awareness. The risk profile of a truffle ceremony is fundamentally lower.
Who is kambo not suitable for?
Kambo is not suitable for people with heart conditions, low blood pressure, psychiatric conditions, pregnancy or use of certain medications. The list of contraindications for kambo is longer than for a truffle ceremony.