Matthew Perry, the beloved "Friends" star, sadly passed away in October, and the cause of death was confirmed to be the acute effects of ketamine, an anesthetic occasionally used recreationally. Additional factors include drugs used for opioid addiction treatment, coronary artery disease, and drowning, with the Los Angeles coroner's office categorizing his death as an "accident."
During his illustrious career, Perry battled with drug and alcohol addiction, revealing his struggles in his recent autobiography. He disclosed spending a substantial nine million dollars on more than 65 rehab stays in the past.
Matthew Perry's tragic demise brought to light the dual nature of ketamine, used medically as an anesthetic and pain reliever, but also popular in recreational settings for its psychedelic effects. Ketamine can cause serious health issues, such as respiratory depression and heart damage, in frequent users. Its dissociative effects can also lead to cognitive impairment, psychological dependence, and even schizophrenia-like symptoms in prolonged users.
Given Perry's involvement in a depression treatment regimen using ketamine, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of responsible and careful management in such clinical settings. To mitigate the risks associated with ketamine, medical professionals should emphasize proper patient monitoring to help prevent potential abuse and misuse.
