Understanding Contraindications with Kambô

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for Kambô.

For the protection of participants, Kambô is not offered to people in the following circumstances.

This may not be an exhaustive list.

 
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Kambo is a powerful, ordeal-style Indigenous practice that places significant demand on the person. Because of this, certain medications, herbs, and health conditions may be incompatible with Kambo, or may require additional screening and timing/calendar considerations before participation.

At Kambo Care, safety, integrity, and transparency are essential. Full disclosure of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, herbs, and health conditions is required as part of the application process and ongoing leading up to and through the experience.

We do not advise stopping any prescription medication. Any decision to pause, taper, adjust, or discontinue medication must be made only with your prescribing clinician. We will require confirmation that your prescriber has cleared any changes.

 


To people on the internet: Below may not be an exhaustive list. Please contact your provider.

Kambo care clients: You can review call summary, client portal and personalized guidebook for updated information. Contact us for additional confirmations.

This may not be an exhaustive list.

  • This list is not exhaustive. The categories below are commonly relevant and must be disclosed:

    Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure

    • Blood pressure medications (including any medication used to manage high or low blood pressure)

    • Diuretics (“water pills” / “water tablets”)

    • Heart disease medications (including medications used for cardiac conditions, past or current)

    • Medications related to circulatory conditions, including varicose vein medications

    • Antidepressants, including:

      • SSRIs

      • SNRIs

      • MAOIs (may be a strict contraindication in some cases)*

    • Anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines

    • Lithium (mood stabilization)

    • Sleeping pills / prescription sleep medications

    • Melatonin and sleep-supporting herbs

    • Stimulant / ADD / ADHD medications (including some that may require special discussion)

    • Steroid medications, including corticosteroids (including those used for arthritis and rheumatism)

    • NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including diclofenac

    • Infection-related medications (case-by-case depending on medication and current condition)

    • Parkinson’s medications

    • Epilepsy medications

    • Lyme disease medications (discuss with practitioner, case-by-case)

    • Recent vaccinations (timing must be discussed with us)

  • Cleansing or purgative herbs, including cloves, and any active detox or cleansing protocols

  • Review the Safety Page for information

*Certain medications, including MAOIs and some antidepressants, may represent strict contraindications unless appropriately discontinued under medical supervision due to interaction risks such as serotonin-related reactions and blood pressure instability.

We do not advise stopping any prescription medication. Any decision to pause, taper, adjust, or discontinue medication must be made only with your prescribing clinician.

You must be 100% transparent on your application.

  1. If you are unsure whether something applies to you, disclose it.

  2. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

  3. Kambo Care reserves the right to decline participation when safety cannot be reasonably ensured.

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