Marcela Alcázar, 33, died early on Sunday, December 1, in Durango after participating in a spiritual ritual in which toad venom was used.
The incident occurred at the Moyocoyani Center, which is described on social media as “a therapeutic place of ancestral medicine,” where friends and family revealed that Marcela attended a retreat in the state capital.
During one of the rituals, she consumed a substance known as kambó, made from toad or frog venom. Some testimonies indicate that she did not ingest the drink, but rather her skin was burned and the poison was applied to the wounds, a common method in these practices.
After the application of kambó, Alcázar began to experience severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and other ailments. Witnesses say that those responsible for the ritual prevented Alcázar from receiving immediate medical attention, arguing that her reactions were normal and part of the healing process.
When she was finally transferred to the Red Cross, the doctors were unable to save her and Marcela died on the spot. According to local media, the body was transferred to the Forensic Medical Service for the legal autopsy, and the case could be investigated as homicide.
The audiovisual production company Mapache Films lamented the death of its partner on the social network Instagram, where they highlighted her dedication, joy, and commitment. The tragedy of Alcázar once again puts the spotlight on these practices that lack regulation.
Psychologist Luis Manuel Naranjo, president of the College of Psychologists, warned about the risks of these rituals to the local media Channel 12 and explained that they are not regulated and may involve the use of dangerous substances. “It is regrettable that these practices continue to occur and that the authorities do nothing. They do not have the health permits to carry out therapies with poisons,” said Naranjo. He added that in these events “there is no certainty about what is being provided” and that “people must undergo a medical and psychological evaluation before entering into a process like this.”
Kambó is a poisonous substance extracted from the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog, also known as the kambó frog or large monkey frog, which lives in regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.
Traditionally, some indigenous groups, such as the Katukinas, Kaxinawás, and Ashaninkas use this poison in rituals to strengthen the immune system and improve hunting performance.
In these rituals, shamans capture the frog and extract its poisonous secretion. Then, they cause small burns on the participants’ skin and apply the poison to the wounds. It is attributed properties to detoxify the body and promote physical and emotional well-being. However, specialists warn that it can cause severe reactions and even death, especially if it is not used in a controlled manner and under medical supervision.
In 2004, Brazilian authorities banned these procedures due to the risks they entail. The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) issued resolutions prohibiting the sale and advertising of kambó. Despite this, the practice has reached other countries such as Chile and Mexico, where it is still used in spiritual rituals.
Scientists have warned that there is no evidence to support the supposed healing properties of kambó. Leonardo de Azevedo Calderón, from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, said that “there is no safe use of kambó” and that it can be especially dangerous for people with diseases related to the heart and circulatory system.
He also indicated that there is no certainty about the substances that are being administered or their effects. Despite the warnings, on the Internet, you can find testimonies of people who claim to have recovered from various ailments thanks to kambó.
Western shamans have begun to replicate these ceremonies in urban settings and offer their services to people seeking alternatives to treat problems such as depression, anxiety, or chronic illnesses.
The Moyocoyani Center, where the incident occurred, presents itself on its Facebook page as a therapeutic center for ancestral medicine and holistic comprehensive healing. After what happened, it still had similar events scheduled for upcoming dates, however, at the time of publication of this article the page is no longer available on the social network.
Source: El Pais