Renowned 'Friends' actor, Matthew Perry, was found dead at the age of 54, and a recent autopsy has revealed that the cause of death was due to the acute effects of ketamine. Perry was found face down in his pool behind his Malibu home in October, seven weeks prior to the release of the autopsy report.
The report, issued by The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office, indicates that Perry's blood tested positive for ketamine. The actor was reportedly receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. His last known treatment was about a week and a half before his death; however, according to the report, that time frame far exceeds the duration that the drug would naturally remain in his system.
Perry's lifeless body was found by his live-in assistant who rushed to his aid and quickly dialed 911. The autopsy suggests that drowning contributed to Perry's death due to the probability that he submerged into the pool after losing consciousness.
Matthew Perry's death is incredibly tragic, considering his well-publicized struggle with substance abuse. In his memoir published a year prior to his death, Perry confessed to attending over 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and entering rehab about 15 times. He spoke openly about the loneliness that came with his struggle for recovery and his wish to help others wrestling with similar battles.
Dr. Jane Morgan, a cardiologist and former executive director of the COVID Task Force at Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta, addressed Perry's autopsy report. She highlights that coronary artery disease was another contributing factor to Perry's death, which makes the use of drugs like ketamine risky. She cites that the American Heart Association flag these compounds for extreme caution. Despite its common use to treat mental health disorders at sub-anesthetic levels, Perry's autopsy showed levels akin to general anesthesia, significantly above the recommended dosage for cardiac safety.
Ketamine causes acute respiratory depression, straining the heart and augmenting its demand for oxygen. This effect can be greatly detrimental, especially if existing cardiac disease is present. In an unfortunate mixture of circumstances, the body of water led to Perry's drowning. Dr. Morgan further explains that ketamine is used for anesthesia and recreationally as a hallucinogenic drug. The effects of ketamine use vary depending on the route of administration and can last up to 24 hours, even after the drug has expired. A week and a half prior to Perry's death marks the last recorded ketamine infusion. The occurrence of the drug in his system at the time of death raises questions about potential misuse. Dr. Morgan emphasized the need for careful administration and monitoring of ketamine use in authorized clinics by experienced professionals to manage potential unpredictable interactions. The drug has been used successfully to treat depression and anxiety. However, Perry's case underscores the potential risks associated with its use.
