MEDICINE RESEARCH / KAMBÔ
KAMBÔ
Library
User surveys, observational studies, secretion peptides, and safety reports—organized by the population or material actually studied.
Findings about whole secretion used in ritual contexts are not conflated with isolated peptides; human observations are separated from hypotheses.
CURATED READING ORDER
Kambô resources
- 01Interdisciplinary narrative reviewSource-aligned translation
The Amazonian Kambô Frog Phyllomedusa bicolor: Current Knowledge of Its Biology, Phylogeography, Toxinology, Ethnopharmacology, and Medical Aspects
The Amazonian kambô frog Phyllomedusa bicolor (Amphibia: Phyllomedusidae): Current knowledge on biology, phylogeography, toxinology, ethnopharmacology and medical aspects
An English resource on a 2022 interdisciplinary review integrating the biology of the kambô frog itself with skin-secretion peptides, Indigenous knowledge, expansion into urban settings, and reported health harms.
Thais A. C. Nogueira, Igor Luis Kaefer, Marco A. Sartim, Manuela B. Pucca, Jacqueline Sachett, André L. Barros, Moysés B. A. Júnior, Djane C. Baía-da-Silva, Paulo S. Bernarde, Hector H. F. Koolen, Wuelton M. Monteiro · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2022
- 02Cross-sectional online self-report surveySource-aligned translation
Connected to the Spirit of the Frog: An Internet Survey of Motivations, Settings, and Subjective Experiences of Kambô Use
Connected to the spirit of the frog: An Internet-based survey on Kambô, the secretion of the Amazonian Giant Maki Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor): Motivations for use, settings and subjective experiences
An English resource closely following a 2021 online survey of 386 people, primarily in Western settings, about their motivations, ritual settings, acute experiences, and longer-term self-evaluations after kambô.
Tomislav Majić, Meike Sauter, Felix Bermpohl, Timo T. Schmidt · Journal of Psychopharmacology · 2021
- 03Retrospective record reviewSource-aligned translation
Use of Phyllomedusa bicolour Secretion during Kambô Ritual: Observed Responses, Number of Points, and Risk of Adverse Events
Use of Phyllomedusa bicolour secretion during kambô ritual: observational responses, dosage, and risk of adverse events
An English resource on a retrospective record review describing application points, sites, facial swelling, sweating, defecation, syncope, and other observations across 241 sessions involving 147 people with a single practitioner.
Caitlin Thompson, Benjamin Malcolm, John Tegzes · Toxicology Communications · 2022
- 04Literature review of acute poisoning casesDetailed introduction
Kambo: Natural Drug or Potential Toxic Agent? A Literature Review of Acute Poisoning Cases
Kambo: Natural drug or potential toxic agent? A literature review of acute poisoning cases
An independent detailed introduction to a 2022 review comparing symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, associated conditions, and clinical courses in 11 acute kambô poisoning cases reported from 2010–2021.
M. A. Sacco, A. Zibetti, C. F. Bonetta, C. Scalise, L. Abenavoli, F. Guarna, S. Gratteri, P. Ricci, I. Aquila · Toxicology Reports · 2022
- 05Retrospective questionnaire studySource-aligned translation
Acute and Subacute Psychoactive Effects of Kambô: Retrospective Reports from Anonymous Users
Acute and subacute psychoactive effects of Kambô, the secretion of the Amazonian Giant Maki Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor): retrospective reports
An English resource on a retrospective study using standardized questionnaires with 22 anonymous users to assess acute psychological effects of a representative kambô experience and subjective changes 2–3 weeks later.
Timo Torsten Schmidt, Simon Reiche, Caroline L. C. Hage, Felix Bermpohl, Tomislav Majić · Scientific Reports · 2020
- 06Physiological review / CommentaryDetailed introduction
Review of the Physiological Effects of Phyllomedusa bicolor Skin-Secretion Peptides Relevant to People Receiving Kambô
Review of the physiological effects of Phyllomedusa bicolor skin secretion peptides on humans receiving Kambô
An independent detailed introduction to a review organizing primarily animal, cell, and receptor research on major peptides in kambô secretion and discussing possible correspondence with human ritual responses.
Caitlin Thompson, Martin L. Williams · Toxicology Research and Application · 2022
- 07Descriptive study using semi-structured interviewsSource-aligned translation
Use of Kambô Secretion, the “Frog Vaccine,” by a Non-Indigenous Population in Rondônia, Brazil
Utilização medicinal da secreção (“vacina-do-sapo”) do anfíbio kambô (Phyllomedusa bicolor) (Anura: Hylidae) por população não-indígena em Espigão do Oeste, Rondônia, Brasil
An English resource on a 2009 study using semi-structured interviews with 31 non-Indigenous people who had experienced kambô in Espigão do Oeste, Rondônia, to document motivations, number of applications, self-assessments, and recognition of the frog.
Paulo Sérgio Bernarde, Rosimeyri Aparecida Santos · Biotemas · 2009
- 08Biochemical and pharmacological study of whole dried secretionDetailed introduction
Pharmacological Study of “Sapo” from Phyllomedusa bicolor Skin Used by the Peruvian Matses in Hunting Rituals
Pharmacological studies of 'sapo' from the frog Phyllomedusa bicolor skin: a drug used by the Peruvian Matses Indians in shamanic hunting practices
A detailed introduction to a 1993 study that quantified major peptides in dried sapo secretion using bioassays and discussed their possible correspondence with acute gastrointestinal, circulatory, and central responses described during ritual use.
Vittorio Erspamer, Giuliana Falconieri Erspamer, Cinzia Severini, Rosa Luisa Potenza, Donatella Barra, Giuseppina Mignogna, Antonio Bianchi · Toxicon · 1993
- 09Natural-peptide identification / Receptor-binding / Animal studyDetailed introduction
Frog Secretions and Hunting Magic in the Upper Amazon: Identification of a Peptide Interacting with an Adenosine Receptor
Frog secretions and hunting magic in the upper Amazon: identification of a peptide that interacts with an adenosine receptor
A detailed introduction to a 1992 basic study that identified the 33-residue peptide adenoregulin in Phyllomedusa bicolor secretion and examined A1 adenosine-receptor binding and effects on mouse behavior.
John W. Daly, Janet Caceres, Roger W. Moni, Fabian Gusovsky, Malcolm Moos Jr., Kenneth B. Seamon, Katharine Milton, Charles W. Myers · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 1992
- 10Systematic review / Descriptive case synthesisSource-aligned translation
Kambo Administration and Its Association with Sudden Death: Clinical and Forensic Perspectives from a Systematic Review
Kambo Administration and Its Association With Sudden Death: Clinical and Forensic Perspectives From a Systematic Review
An English resource on a 2025 review that collected deaths after kambô and severe cases that survived with medical intervention, organizing clinical courses, toxicologic confirmation, and forensic limitations.
Matteo Antonio Sacco, Saverio Gualtieri, Chara Spiliopoulou, Emmanouil I. Sakelliadis, Maria Cristina Verrina, Isabella Aquila · Cureus · 2025