A wellness coach and cancer survivor from the UK passed away after participating in a detox ritual involving a substance derived from the toxic skin of an Amazonian frog. Kristian Trend, aged 40, collapsed in his Leicester residence after ingesting Kambo, a drug traditionally used in South America for fertility and purging rituals. Despite being prohibited in several countries, including Australia and Chile, Kambo remains legally obtainable in the UK.

Kristian’s mother, Angie, has urged for the prohibition of alternative medicines following her son’s untimely demise last month. The use of Kambo has been on the rise in Europe, with individuals viewing it as a therapeutic practice that could result in transformative experiences.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Angie described her son as a spiritual person who aimed to cleanse himself through the ritual. Although the exact cause of Kristian’s death is pending confirmation, there are concerns that it may be linked to Kambo, potentially making him the first reported British casualty of the substance. Leicestershire Police disclosed that a man fell ill at a residence in Leicester on April 11 and subsequently passed away in the hospital. Another individual, aged 41, was arrested on suspicion of administering poison and is currently under investigation.

Kambo, also known as Sapo, lacks approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency as a medicinal product. Angie has called for a ban on the substance, expressing her emotional distress over the loss of her son and her late husband. A fundraiser has been established by Kristian’s family in support of the Loros hospice charity in Leicestershire, reflecting his commitment to charitable causes.

The Home Office has affirmed its collaboration with health authorities to oversee the substance’s impact. They emphasize the importance of caution when considering alternative therapies and understanding the associated risks.