Traditional jungle use vs Western ceremonialization

Most people hear about kambo and think it’s reckless and dangerous, until they see what happens when it’s done right.

My understanding of kambo changed a lot through this conversation, especially after hearing how it’s been used not just as a traditional Amazonian medicine, but also as a tool for addressing complex health challenges. Caitlin Thompson brings a rare blend of experience to this space, having served thousands of sessions while also approaching the work through a scientific lens rooted in neurobiology and research.

Her path into frog medicine came from navigating her own history with Lyme disease, lupus, and chronic illness, which gives real context to why she approaches this work with both precision and respect. We get into what kambo healing looks like in practice, including how dosage, safety, and nervous system state can completely change the outcome of a session.

There’s also a deeper conversation around why many people have overwhelming experiences, and how a more intentional, minimalist approach can unlock benefits around immune support, chronic illness recovery, and nervous system healing.

This is a grounded look at ancient tools meeting modern science, and what becomes possible when healing is approached with both rigor and humility.

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You’ll learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[10:06] Frog medicine 101: what it is, what it does, and how it's collected

[15:32] Nobody actually knows who discovered kambo first

[27:52] Why doing more kambo doesn't mean getting more out of it

[40:05] How Caitlin's personal relationship with kambo has evolved over a decade

[52:41] What's happening to frog populations and the communities behind the medicine

[01:05:54] Mixing kambo with psychedelics is riskier than most people think

[01:13:58] Who should and shouldn't take kambo, and what it can do for addiction

[01:36:21] Treating Lyme without addressing trauma may be why people don't get better

[01:50:31] Is it the substance that's intelligent or something working through it?

Resources mentioned:

Phyllomedusa bicolor | Website

Matsés | Website

Sananga Website

Rapé | Website

Read: Thompson et al, Use of Phyllomedusa bicolour secretion during kambô ritual: observational responses, dosage, and risk of adverse events | Article

Read: Thompson & Williams, Review of the physiological effects of Phyllomedusa bicolor skin secretion peptides on humans receiving Kambô | Article

Institute of Kambo Advancement and Preservation Website

Peter Gorman Website

Read: WTFrog Is Kambo and Am I Ready: A Practical Guide to Understanding the Experience, Staying Safe, and Evaluating If Kambo Is Right For You | Book

Todd Shipman Website

Full show notes at lukestorey.com/kambo

Find more from Caitlin:

Medicine Frog Kambo | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Medicine Frog Kambo Practitioner Training | Website

Institute of Kambo Advancement and Preservation (IKAP) | Website

Kambocon | Website

Find more from Luke:

Luke Storey | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | LinkedIn