The Science of Kambo
Studies on Kambo began in the 1930's, but the first discovery of biopeptides didn't occur until 1966. Scientific research began in 1980 with Italian pharmacologist Vittorio Erspamer of the University of Rome. He was nominated twice for the Nobel Prize and is considered to be the first scientist to analyze Kambo in the laboratory, concluding that Kambo contains a "fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications unmatched by any other amphibian." Since 1966 there have been more than 70 Kambo patents registered.
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Each isolated peptide plays a different role in cellular messaging and regeneration. Peptides are signaling agents found in every cell and tissue, and are essential to achieve homeostasis, repair damaged cells, and maintain overall good health and well being.
The medical paradigm we have been under for decades is a disease killing one,
which can also damage other cells in the body along with the disease.
Peptide therapy can help cells operate to prevent disease and work harmoniously with the body's cellular structure.
Peptides target specific cells without causing toxicity to surrounding healthy cells.
They are recognized and tolerated by the body, promoting healthier cellular function.
On a cellular level, peptides function in the following capacity:
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Modulate appropriate inflammatory response
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Assist in cellular autophagy, mitophagy, and apoptosis
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Optimize mitochondrial function
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Reestablish or protect cellular efficiency
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reestablish or maintain cell metabolic flexibility
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Maintain nucleotide cofactor ratios of NAD+/NADH, NADP+/NADPH,
acetyl CoA/CoA and ADP/ATP to maintain ultimate cellular redox
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Optimize P53, SIRT, and FOXO genes
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Monitor and influence timing of cellular senescence
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Reverse or inhibit epigenetic influences of the genome
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The main families of peptides identified in the Kambo secretion thus far include:
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Phyllomedusin
Produces contraction at the smooth muscle level and increases secretions of the entire gastrointestinal tract such as the salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas and gallbladder.
These peptides work to induce the deep purge that takes place in a Kambo session.
Phyllokinin & Phyllomedusins
Both are potent vasodilators, increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier for their own access, as well as for that of other active peptides. They also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Caeruleins & Sauvagines
These peptides have chains of 40 amino acids with myotropic properties on the smooth muscles, producing a contraction of the colon and urinary bladder. They produce a drop in blood pressure accompanied by tachycardia. They stimulate the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland, contributing to greater sensory perception and increased resistance. Both peptides possess a great analgesic power, contributing to the increase of physical strength, the capacity to confront physical pain, stress, disease, and diminish the symptoms of fatigue. In the medical field, this family of peptides contributes to improved digestion and has analgesic properties against pain in the renal colic, pain due to peripheral vascular insufficiency and tumor pain.
Dermorphin & Deltorphin
Small peptides composed of 7 amino acids. They are selective agonists of the opiate receptors, 4000 times more potent than morphine and 40 times more potent than the endogenous endorphins.
Adenoregulins
These work on the human body through the adenosine receptors, a fundamental component throughout all human cellular fuel. These receptors may offer a target for the treatment of depression, stroke, and cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s.
Dermaseptins
These peptides are part of a broad spectrum of antimicrobial peptides involved in the frog’s defence against microbial invasion. These are the first vertebrate peptides that show lethal effects against filamentous fungi responsible for severe opportunistic infections which accompany immunodeficiency syndrome and the use of immunosuppressive agents. They also show lethal effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and protozoa.
Several years of research at the University of Paris have shown that peptides Dermaseptin B2 and B3 are effective in killing certain types of cancer cells. A researcher at Queens University in Belfast won a prestigious award for his ground-breaking work with cancer and Kambo. It’s action mechanism is produced by inhibiting the angiogenesis of tumor cells with selective cytotoxicity for these cells.
Bradykinins
These peptides have similar properties and structure to human bradykinin.
They are hypotensive, and due to producing vasodilation, they support contraction of the non-vascular smooth muscle,
increase vascular permeability, and are related to the mechanism of inflammatory pain.
Bombesins
These peptides stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid by acting on the G cells of the stomach. They also increase pancreatic secretion, intestinal myoelectric activity, and smooth muscle contractility.
Ceruleans
They stimulate gastric, bile, and pancreatic secretions, and certain smooth muscles. They could be used in the paralytic ileus and as a diagnostic medium in pancreatic dysfunction.
Tryptophilins
These are neuropeptides consisting of 4-14 amino acids, which are opening up new perspectives on how the human brain works.
Research on Kambo
There are studies that have been done on Kambo since the first samples were brought into the U.S. by the award-winning investigative journalist, Peter Gorman and anthropologist, Katharine Milton.
Here are a few of those studies:
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Antitumor and Angiostatic Activities of the Antimicrobial Peptide Dermaseptin B2
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Medusins: A new class of antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretions of phyllomedusine frogs
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The Future of Kambo
Much work has gone into studying the science of Kambo and the biochemical makeup of the secretion itself, and in scientific terms, the work has just begun. Active research is underway to isolate other compounds found in Kambo that are suspected to be beneficial to medical science.
Of course, there is more to this medicine beyond what the western lens sees.
This ancestral medicine has been used for centuries, guided by the wisdom and benevolence of nature for the
health and well-being of the people of the Amazon.
Current medical science has only revealed the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true effects and impacts of Kambo for healing and health,
and it may never fully reveal the wonder and power of this natural medicine.
