A 33-year-old Mexican actress, Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, tragically lost her life after ingesting Amazonian frog venom during a cleansing ritual at a spiritual retreat. The incident occurred in Durango, Mexico, when RodríguezRodríguez took part in the South American Kambo ritual, a controversial ceremony that has been linked to severe health risks and even fatalities.
According to reports from the Mirror, the ritual involves participants drinking over a litre of water, receiving small burns on their skin, and having frog mucus, which contains venom, applied to the wounds. The venom, which is known to increase blood pressure, induces vomiting and diarrhoea. While these symptoms are often seen as part of the cleansing process, they can also lead to serious complications, including seizures and death when the venom is absorbed into the bloodstream for extended periods.
Rodríguez began experiencing severe diarrhoea and vomiting shortly after the ritual commenced. These reactions, while common during the Kambo process, became too intense for her to handle. Although she initially resisted seeking medical help, her condition worsened, and a friend convinced her to receive treatment. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the actress succumbed to the effects of the venom, and doctors were unable to save her life.
Reports also indicate that a shaman, who was leading the ceremony at the Mayocoyani retreat, told Rodríguez she could not leave when her condition began to deteriorate. However, after her symptoms worsened, the shaman reportedly fled the scene. Authorities are now searching for the shaman in connection with the incident.
The tragic death of Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez has sent shockwaves through the local community. The Durango Film Guild paid tribute to the actress on social media, remembering her as a talented young woman who worked in a variety of short films, TV series, and movies filmed in Durango. “She leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew her, working in what she loved: cinema,” the guild stated in a heartfelt post.
The Kambo ritual, though practised in some South American cultures, is gaining attention for its dangerous side effects. It has sparked debates about the safety and ethics of such spiritual practices, particularly when performed in unregulated environments.