The Importance of Managing Hydration and Sodium Levels in Kambo Ceremonies
When preparing for a Kambo ceremony, one of the most crucial yet often misunderstood aspects is hydration. Proper hydration is essential for facilitating Kambo's effects, but overhydration—or drinking too much water—can be dangerous. The risk of hyponatremia, a condition caused by low sodium levels in the blood, is particularly relevant. This risk is further compounded when long periods of fasting, salt deprivation, or activities like sweat lodges are part of a retreat.
Understanding and respecting these risks is critical for your safety and well-being.
What Is Hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia occurs when the balance of water and sodium in the body becomes disrupted. Sodium is an essential electrolyte that regulates water balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. When too much water dilutes the sodium in your blood, cells begin to swell, which can lead to a range of symptoms, including:
Nausea and vomiting
Headache and confusion
Muscle weakness or cramps
Fatigue
Severe cases can lead to seizures, coma, or even death
This condition is particularly dangerous during Kambo ceremonies because the physical and energetic demands of the purge further strain the body, increasing vulnerability to complications.
How Overhydration Can Occur in Kambo
In preparation for Kambo, participants are often instructed to drink water to support the purging process. However, excessive water intake—especially in a short period—can overwhelm the body’s ability to maintain a healthy sodium balance.
Drinking Excessive Water: Overconsumption of water before or during the ceremony is a primary cause of hyponatremia.
Fasting or Salt Deprivation: Long periods of fasting or diets low in sodium can deplete the body's electrolyte reserves, leaving you more vulnerable to hyponatremia. In particular plant medicine retreats require participants to abstain from salt and also fast in their preparation requirements.
Sweating and Dehydration: Activities like sweat lodges, often used in retreats and healing ceremonies, can lead to significant electrolyte loss. Without proper sodium replenishment, drinking large amounts of water afterward can result in a dangerous imbalance.
Why Sodium Is Essential
Sodium plays a critical role in maintaining fluid balance, supporting nerve signals, and enabling muscle contractions. When sodium levels drop due to overhydration, the body’s systems cannot function properly. This is especially concerning during Kambo, as the purge places additional physical demands on the body.
Risks of Combining Fasting and Kambo
In many retreat settings, Kambo ceremonies are paired with practices like fasting or low-sodium diets. While these can be beneficial in certain contexts, they also increase the risk of hyponatremia and dehydration:
Fasting: Prolonged fasting depletes the body’s sodium stores, leaving it less equipped to handle large amounts of water during a Kambo session.
Salt-Free Diets: Low-sodium diets can exacerbate electrolyte imbalances, particularly when combined with heavy sweating or purging.
Sweat Lodges: These intense heat sessions cause significant sweating, leading to the loss of both water and electrolytes. Rehydrating with only water—without replenishing sodium—can quickly result in hyponatremia.
Safety Guidelines to Prevent Hyponatremia
To ensure a safe and effective Kambo experience, it’s essential to balance hydration with sodium levels:
Drink Water Responsibly: Follow your practitioner’s guidelines for water intake. Typically, this involves drinking 1–1.5 liters of water before the ceremony—no more, no less.
Replenish Electrolytes: If you’ve been fasting, on a low-sodium diet, or participating in sweat lodges, ensure you replenish your sodium levels beforehand. Foods like soups, broths, or electrolyte drinks can help restore balance.
Avoid Overhydration: Resist the urge to drink excessive amounts of water in the hours leading up to Kambo. Your practitioner will guide you on appropriate hydration.
Communicate with Your Practitioner: Inform your practitioner about any recent fasting, dietary changes, or participation in sweat lodges. They can adjust your preparation accordingly.
Recognising Symptoms of Hyponatremia
Practitioners trained by the Kambo Practitioner Alliance (KPA) are taught to recognise the early signs of hyponatremia and other hydration-related issues. If you experience excessive nausea, confusion, headache, or unusual fatigue during or shortly after after a ceremony, notify your practitioner immediately.
Final Thoughts
Kambo is a powerful medicine, but its effects demand a prepared and balanced body. Managing hydration and sodium levels is critical for ensuring your safety and maximising the benefits of the ceremony.
At the Kambo Practitioner Alliance, we prioritise safety through education and preparation. If you’re considering Kambo or attending a retreat, ensure that you follow all hydration and dietary guidelines provided by your practitioner.

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