Over the years, we have explored many different forms of healing, reflection, recovery support, and personal growth. Some of it has been quiet and ordinary. Some of it has been deeper, stranger, and harder to put into words.
One of those experiences was Kambo, with Colm Verdon of Kambo Colm. What follows is a personal reflection — not advice, not a recommendation, and not a claim about what Kambo does or does not do. Just our honest experience.
Why We Were Drawn To The Experience
As people in recovery, with deep lived experience of trauma, survival, addiction, emotional shutdown, and rebuilding life, we are careful about the spaces we step into.
We know what it is to carry weight in the body. We know what it is to feel things you cannot quite name. And we know how easy it is, in the wellness world, to chase intensity instead of integration.
We were not looking for a fix. We were curious about a different kind of pause — a way to slow down, listen to the body, and be present with whatever was there.
What Felt Important
Long before anything happened on the day itself, what mattered to us was the setup: the preparation, the questions asked, the calmness around it, and the aftercare.
Colm's presence was steady, respectful, and non-forceful. There was no pressure, no performance, no spiritual sales pitch. Just a grounded human being holding space carefully and taking safety seriously.
That mattered more than anything else. Because the container around an experience like this is everything.
What It Gave Us Personally
For us, it was less about the physical side and more about the stillness afterwards.
What we noticed was a softening — a quietness in the body that we do not always allow ourselves to feel.
What we took from it was a reminder that healing is not loud. It is often the moment after the noise stops.
What stayed with us was a deeper respect for slowing down, for listening inwards, and for trusting the people who hold space well.
Recovery, Spirituality and Discernment
Not every healing practice is for every person. Readiness matters. Context matters. Honesty with yourself matters even more.
There are contraindications with Kambo. There are people for whom it is not appropriate. There are also people who reach for intense experiences in place of the slow, ordinary work that real recovery actually requires.
We would always say: do your research, ask questions, understand your own health, talk to the right professionals, and never bypass the foundations of recovery for a single experience.
Podcast Connection
We have also spoken about some of these deeper healing experiences in episodes of Having The Chats with Peter and Sophia, especially in conversations around trauma, plant medicine, recovery, spirituality, emotional release, and finding our way back to ourselves.
You can listen on the Having The Chats podcast hub, or explore our trauma and recovery conversations for related episodes.
A Note On Practitioners
For anyone researching Kambo in Ireland, we always believe safety, preparation, and practitioner integrity should come first. Colm shares more about his approach through Kambo Colm.
Disclaimer
This article is a personal reflection only. It is not medical advice, mental health advice, or a recommendation that Kambo is suitable for everyone. Anyone considering Kambo should research carefully, understand contraindications, and speak with an appropriate medical professional where needed.
Where To Go Next
If this reflection resonated, here are a few gentle next steps:
- Listen to Having The Chats — deeper conversations on recovery, trauma, and healing.
- Read more reflections from our blog.
- Book a clarity call if you would like grounded, lived-experience support.