The usage of the medication ketamine has changed since it was created in the 1960s as an anesthetic for both humans and animals. Today, it is recognized as both a hopeful new therapy for severe depression and as a psychedelic recreational substance.
It is also connected to the unfortunate passing of Friends actor Matthew Perry.
The actor passed away due to the immediate impact of the hallucinogenic substance ketamine, as stated in the actor’s postmortem examination. A 54-year-old man perished by accident at his residence in Los Angeles.
Here is additional information regarding Ketamine.
Ketamine is recognized for its ability to alleviate severe depression.
In 2006, scientists at the National Institutes of Health demonstrated that administering Ketamine intravenously could alleviate severe depression within a few hours. That is in contrast to conventional treatments for depression, such as Prozac and Zoloft, which often require several weeks to alleviate the disease and are not effective for every individual.
In 2018, Dr. Martin Teicher, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program at McLean Hospital, stated to NPR that he viewed the new applications of Ketamine as “one of the most significant developments in psychiatry in a considerable period.”
In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Spravato, a nasal spray and the initial antidepressant derived from Ketamine.
However, despite the rapid action of Ketamine, studies have indicated that its effects diminish within a few days or weeks.
Perry personally underwent ketamine infusion therapy to treat his melancholy and anxiety. According to his autopsy report, he had received his most recent injection one week and a half before his death. However, the Ketamine utilized for that treatment was probably not the reason for Perry’s demise, as the drug’s half-life in the body is approximately three to four hours or less, according to the study.
The details regarding how or when Perry obtained additional Ketamine before his death remain unclear.
Scientists have also explored other applications of Ketamine for the treatment of additional psychiatric conditions such as substance use disorders and PTSD.
Scientists are also attempting to prolong the effects of Ketamine. A study published in the previous year indicated that the medication administered to individuals who engage in computer games aimed at enhancing self-confidence following a ketamine infusion seemed to extend the anesthetic’s advantages for three months following the treatment.
It has also been associated with another well-known death.
Elijah McClain died following an encounter with three police officers that escalated into violence as he was making his way home in Aurora, Colorado, in August 2019.
The 23-year-old was taken down by three officers and was subjected to two carotid holds. Two paramedics from Aurora Fire Rescue were brought to the scene and then gave McClain a high dose of Ketamine, at least 500 milligrams. He had a cardiac arrest while in the ambulance and never regained consciousness. He was declared clinically dead due to irreversible brain damage a few days later.
The trial for many felony charges against the paramedics, Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper is still in progress.
The trials for Aurora Police Officers Jason Rosenblatt and Nathan Woodyard resulted in not-guilty verdicts. The problem for the third officer, Randy Roedema, concluded with reduced charges.
What are the potential dangers associated with Ketamine?
Ketamine has also been utilized in social settings such as parties and clubs due to its capacity to induce a sensation of being detached from one’s body and experiencing hallucinations temporarily.
Taking too much of the medication might lead to several symptoms, such as memory loss or convulsions, as stated by the American Addiction Centers. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, it can also lead to loss of consciousness and dangerously sluggish breathing.
However, the American Addiction Centers state that Ketamine seldom leads to an overdose when used as the sole substance. Deaths are more probable when Ketamine is combined with alcohol. It can also be linked to unintentional harm or fatality in vehicle accidents or drowning, as in Perry’s situation.
Matthew Perry toxicology report reveals
The well-liked actor from the “Friends” television show passed away due to the immediate impact of Ketamine, as stated in a report from the Los Angeles County medical examiner that was made public on Friday.
Perry, aged 54, was discovered unconscious at his residence on Oct. 28, “submerged with his face downwards in the heated section” of the swimming pool, according to the autopsy report. The study states that the death was unintentional and that there were no indications of any criminal activity. The stated reason for his death is the “immediate impact of ketamine,” with additional variables mentioned as “submersion, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine.” Buprenorphine is a drug used to address opioid use disorder.
According to records provided with the autopsy, witnesses informed the police that the actor had left to play pickleball at around 11 a.m. on the morning of his death and came back home two hours later. According to the article, his assistant had left to do some tasks shortly after that – the final time Perry was seen alive — and when they came back, they discovered the actor deceased. The police declared him dead at 4:17 p.m., according to the report.
Perry was taken from his house to the Forensic Science Center a little over an hour after midnight on Oct. 29. The autopsy on Perry was conducted later that day.
Perry battled with substance abuse for a considerable period, although according to the postmortem report, he had managed to stay sober for 19 months. The autopsy report said that Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, with the most recent session occurring one and a half weeks before his death. Perry had been positively responding to treatment and was described as being in a positive state of mind, according to a witness statement in the police incident report.
The FDA has authorized Ketamine as an anesthetic since the 1970s, and studies indicate that it may be beneficial for specific individuals when employed as a medically supervised therapy for depression and anxiety. According to specialists, it also has potential dangers. The medication has a disassociative impact, appearing to detach the mind from the body and may lead to hallucinations. It is recognized for its utilization in nightclub and party culture. The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency cautions that an excessive amount of Ketamine might result in loss of consciousness and significantly reduced breathing.
The coroner discovered small quantities of Ketamine in Perry’s stomach but noted that significant concentrations of the substance were present in his blood, at 3.54 milligrams per milliliter. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Perry’s cause of death was not due to his previous infusion therapy, which has a half-life of only 3 to 4 hours. Instead, it was concluded that Ketamine, taken differently, was the cause. The autopsy report stated that it is unclear how that occurred.
Perry became famous for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the television show “Friends,” where he was recognized for his unique behaviors and peculiar character. He rapidly became a popular choice among fans of the show, which was shown for a duration of 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.
Perry documented his addiction in a memoir published last year, titled “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” The book chronicles his ongoing battle to maintain sobriety. He stated to CBS News in 2015 that “individuals fail to comprehend that it is an illness” and that those experiencing addiction should “seek assistance” rather than hold themselves responsible.