Famed Friends actor, Matthew Perry's recent autopsy report reveals that he died due to acute effects of ketamine and subsequent drowning. Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home on October 28, aged 54.
The report indicates that Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy, an increasingly recognized form of treatment for depression and anxiety. The therapy capitalizes on the drug's disassociative nature, which disconnects the mind and body and sometimes induces hallucinatory and psychedelic effects. In his book, Perry shared his experience with this treatment, describing it as seeing horses and other outlandish scenarios. Perry's last known treatment was approximately one and a half weeks before his untimely death.
Ketamine was developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic and continues to be used for that purpose today. In recent years it has been gaining traction as a potential treatment for severe mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even suicidal ideation. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first version of medically supervised ketamine treatment for resistant depression. This prescribed version of the drug is a nasal spray.
However, ketamine is also known for its psychedelic and euphoric properties, which makes it a popular, albeit dangerous, recreational drug. Extremely high blood concentrations of ketamine can cause respiratory depression, cardiovascular overstimulation, unconsciousness, and even death. Perry's autopsy report suggests he took an overdose of ketamine, equivalent to a dose used for general anesthesia.
While ketamine therapy under medical supervision is generally considered safe, it's critical to remain cautious. Over the past few years, an alarming increase in the number of private and telehealth companies selling non-prescription ketamine lozenges and tablets has been noted. The FDA in October issued an advisory against the use of such ketamine compounds by the general public without medical supervision.
