23/10/2026
Photo taken in 2019 during Kambo Training 🐸 💚
I wanted to share something I have been observing and experiencing lately, and why it matters to me.
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life. People have different feelings about this, and I understand why. I have concerns about its environmental impact, particularly around data centres, water use, and the pressure on nature and wildlife. I also recognise that it can help make some everyday tasks easier. That is a wider conversation for another time.
What I want to speak about today is the growing number of people turning to artificial intelligence for advice about Kambo, particularly when they have questions about medication, health conditions, or whether a session would be suitable for them.
I understand the desire to find answers. Asking questions about your health is responsible, and I welcome people taking the time to understand what they are considering. My concern is that an answer can sound confident and reassuring without being accurate, complete, or appropriate to your circumstances.
Artificial intelligence does not know everything. It may miss relevant research, misunderstand a source, or present an assumption as an established fact. Please ask where information comes from and read the original material wherever possible.
Research into Kambo remains limited. We need to be honest about what is known, what remains uncertain, and the serious risks that have been reported. A lack of research cannot be taken as reassurance that something is safe.
I deeply honour the Indigenous peoples who have carried these traditions, and the teachings shared through my own teachers. Their knowledge, experience, and cultural relationship with this practice matter deeply to me. Honouring that heritage also means being willing to acknowledge the limits of our knowledge.
If you have questions about a session, please contact the practitioner directly. Share your full health history, medication, supplements, and any concerns, even if you are unsure whether something is relevant. You deserve a thoughtful conversation and clear answers about the screening process and its limitations.
For questions about medication, interactions, or an existing health condition, please also speak with your prescribing clinician or a pharmacist. A practitioner’s experience does not replace qualified medical advice.
When I do not know an answer, I believe in saying so. I can seek guidance from my teachers about the practice and tradition, look for original research, and recognise when a question requires medical expertise. Sometimes uncertainty means postponing or declining a session.
Please be thoughtful about where you place your trust, including with practitioners. Ask us questions too. You should feel free to raise concerns, take your time, and decide against proceeding.
Your safety matters more than filling a space in a ceremony. That is why I feel this conversation is so important.
Ilona
Viva La Kambo 🐸
