Friends Actor Matthew Perry’s Autopsy Reveals He Died Of Acute Effects Of Ketamine |
The tragic death of Friends star Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023, has sparked further concerns about ketamine misuse. According to his autopsy report, Perry had “high levels of ketamine” in his system at the time of his passing. A new documentary, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, now alleges that he had received 27 doses of the drug in the three days leading up to his death. While the exact circumstances remain under investigation, the case highlights the potential dangers of excessive ketamine exposure, even in a medical context.
What is Ketamine and what is it used for?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic originally designed for medical and veterinary purposes. Typically administered as an injectable liquid, it can also be found in other forms. In a clinical setting, ketamine shots are primarily used for anesthesia, pain relief, and more recently, as a treatment for mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD.
What are medical uses of the drug?
Anesthesia: Frequently used in surgeries due to its rapid-acting sedative and pain-relieving properties.
Pain Relief: Effective in managing chronic pain and post-operative discomfort.
Mental Health Treatment: Low-dose ketamine therapy has demonstrated positive results in treating severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD, particularly in cases where conventional treatments have failed.
How can overuse of ketamine be fatal?
While ketamine offers medical benefits, excessive or recreational use can pose severe health risks, including life-threatening overdose. Some of the major risks include:
Respiratory Failure: High doses can suppress breathing, leading to a lack of oxygen and potential fatality.
Intense Hallucinations and Confusion: Overdose may trigger extreme disorientation, increasing the likelihood of self-harm or accidents.
Cardiovascular Complications: Ketamine can cause abnormal spikes or drops in blood pressure, resulting in heart-related issues.
Loss of Consciousness and Coma: Severe overdoses may lead to coma, which can be deadly without immediate medical intervention.
According to the documentary, not only was Perry receiving shots from his doctor, he also had other sources proving him with the drug. His doctor is being charged for negligence despite witnessing physical side-effects in Perry. On October 28, the day of this death, he asked in live-in assistant for a shot and apparently asked to make it “A big one” even when he’d already taken 2 shots since morning that day.
His assistant mentioned spotting him unresponsive in the pool, which is a possible reaction of the drug overuse.
