Seriously though, I will have no part of it!

Otorongo Expeditions does not offer such mind altering services, we feel these are culturally sensitive, spiritual experiences that should not be bought or sold as goods or services.

The latest craze in Iquitos (and apparently Europe)is to absorb Frog poison through fresh burns on your arm. The frog of the matter is the giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor). They are incredibly common in lowland Amazonia , especially around our Eco lodge on the Amazon River of Peru.

This particular frog has been used by native peoples for possibly thousands of years, some know it as the ultimate poison dart frog (Yaguas) or as a Rainforest god, bringer of the rains (Matses). The Matses Culture uses the frog in pre hunting rituals to strengthen the hunter and hone his skills.

The Frog is tied up and stretched out on an X axis. The harvester will harass the frog by sticking it in the nose or eyes so the secretion is not forced out but given by the frog.

Apparently waiting for the frog to exude on its own ensures the most potent pissed off poison that could be produced.

Recently this frog poison is being offered to tourists on the streets of Iquitos, the frog sticks dubbed "kambo" are being sold by anybody on the street and will apply it for a small fee. Apply? you may ask? Apply or burn your skin to produce a blister that will later be peeled off so the dosage of kambo mixed with saliva from "Jhonny the street Shaman" can be absorbed to the fresh wound. (Palm to Face WTF)

Many people are calling it a cure all, miracle treatment for cancer, aids, herpes, chronic pain. The reactions to the poison vary by person and dosage. Spiritual thrill seekers coming for Ayahuasca drink usually find themselves captivated by the concept.

recent research suggests that frequent use causes critical organ failure

I have watched a ceremony before (done by street hustlers for 50 soles) .The mans' color went from white to red in five seconds. He fell to the floor and convulsed for thirty seconds until he calmed down and stared into nothingness for a few minutes.

After that he sat up in silence for another five minutes. He came too shortly after saying he felt great in fact the best ever!

I knew then and there that frog poison was not something to be fooled around with. I did not think it was going to boom in town just like the Ayahuasca boom has created hundreds of Psychedelic Lodges. It is common today to book a jungle tour and have these indigenous ceremonies pushed on you by tour operators.

If you are coming to Iquitos to see the Amazon Rainforest and River, go to a lodge that is for that purpose, Like the Otorongo Amazon River Lodge.

Avoid Catch all places that offer you mind altering experiences right after Pirahna fishing and dolphin watching because they are only in the business for profit (They dont care about you or the experience you will have

If you are looking for a mind altering experience, Ayahuasca or kambo poison, choose a place that is only a spiritual center so you will find like minded people who know what they are doing. There are plenty of dedicated retreats that only offer this type of spiritual service. Avoid 4 day 3 night lodges that offer Ayahuasca as well as normal tourist activities, there is little to no specialization to the services. Most serious places offer a week or more of retreat and dieting and do not necessarily cost an arm and a leg.

In the mean time this boom business of mind altering substances is having some positive and negative effects on the local populations.

A large part of locals think that most tourists are coming to get wasted on drugs, especially Americans who are considered the burn-out druggies of the world, great first impressions. As a new arrival to Iquitos, you wont last ten minutes without someone coming to offer you a plethora of drugs, kambo or ayahuasca.

Second, the capitalization of this concept in the area is taking tolls on local wildlife populations.

Trinkets made from animal parts are sold to glassy eyed tourist that feel they are "embodying the spirit of the jaguar" or "the macaw is my spirit animal" as they wave newly acquired feather earrings in the wind

Here is an example of how spirituality business is taking a toll on local wildlifeNational Geographic Exposes jaguar market in Iquitos

One of the benefits are the influx of tourist money for these ceremonies. Ayahuasca or esoteric tourism probably comprises over 50% of all tourism now in Iquitos. The responsible retreat centers often employ dozens of locals and are always involved in sustainable development projects in communities, more so than average adventure tourism or wildlife tourism agencies.

In the end, you need to decide for yourself who are responsible tourism operators, we are few and far between in a sea of charlatans and overnight jungle guides.

Otorongo Expeditions does not offer such mind altering services, we feel these are culturally sensitive, spiritual experiences that should not be bought or sold as goods or services.

There is vast information available online a lot of which is provided by people or organizations that profit from these traditional indigenous ceremonies. Personally I think complete non bias, Scientific research is needed.

There has been well backed findings about the benefits of Ayahuasca or Kambo for dealing with psychological disorders like PTSD or opiate addiction. There very well may be great benefits for society awaiting in the peptides of a frog or the alkaloids in a jungle vine

Would you like some frog poison with your jungle tour?

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