The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office released an autopsy report on Friday, December 15, revealing that actor Matthew Perry, mostly famous for his role in the popular television series “Friends,” died due to the “acute effects” of ketamine.
Perry, 54, was found in his LA home on October 28, unresponsive in a hot tub.
Ketamine, an anesthetic with psychedelic properties, is increasingly used in alternative therapies for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It also has a history of recreational use.
The report detailed that Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, but the ketamine level in his system at the time of death was significantly higher than what would be expected from his last known treatment, which occurred approximately a week and a half earlier.
In addition to ketamine’s acute effects, the medical examiner’s office cited the following as factors contributing to Perry’s death from drowning: coronary artery disease and the effects of the opioid buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is commonly used in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
The autopsy findings indicated that the concentration of ketamine in Perry’s body was in the range typical for general anesthesia. Ketamine is generally metabolized within hours, suggesting administration outside a clinical setting, closer to the time of his death.
The therapeutic use of ketamine has garnered attention in recent years, especially for treatment-resistant depression. A prescription nasal spray containing ketamine was approved by the FDA in 2019 for this purpose. While clinical trials have shown about 50% of patients experiencing antidepressant effects from ketamine treatments, there are noted side effects, including dissociation, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, increased heart rate or blood pressure, and in less common cases, hallucinations, vivid dreams, or mania.
The risks associated with recreational use of ketamine are considerably higher. These include feelings of detachment, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and potentially severe long-term effects such as tolerance, withdrawal syndrome, cognitive impairments, and addiction. When mixed with other substances like buprenorphine, ketamine’s effects can be amplified, leading to dangerous outcomes.
Matthew Perry had been candid about his struggles with addiction, previously addressing his issues with alcohol and painkillers, which began following a jet ski accident in 1997. He was active in supporting others with similar struggles, having established a facility for men dealing with addiction.
Jennifer Aniston, Perry’s co-star on “Friends,” reported that Perry seemed happy and in good health when she communicated with him on the morning of his death. The medical examiner ruled Perry’s death as accidental.
The case of Matthew Perry highlights the complexities and potential dangers of using ketamine, both therapeutically and recreationally. It underscores the importance of careful monitoring and regulation of such treatments, particularly in individuals with a history of substance abuse.
