Compound Monograph
Dermorphins
Dermorphins are potent mu-opioid peptides found in the skin secretions of tree frogs, including the kambo source frog.
Where Does It Come From? (1)
Dermorphins are naturally occurring opioid peptide, found in Giant monkey frog / kambo. They are flagged as moderately toxic.
Research & Evidence
Dermorphins are a family of opioid peptides occurring in the skin secretions of South American Phyllomedusa tree frogs, including the giant monkey frog used to prepare kambo. They are potent and selective agonists at the mu-opioid receptor and, like other peptides from this source, contain an unusual D-amino acid. They sit alongside the deltorphins among the bioactive peptides that give these frog secretions their pharmacological interest.
Toxicity & Safety
Being strong mu-opioid agonists, dermorphins carry the general risks of potent opioids and are studied as research compounds rather than as consumer products. Within whole kambo secretion they are one of many active peptides, and isolated human safety data for the dermorphins themselves are limited.