Matthew Perry’s body contained the depression medication ketamine, which can slow breathing. The autopsy report brings up issues regarding the illicit use of ketamine.

The actor’s death was attributed to the “acute effects of ketamine,” according to Matthew Perry’s autopsy report, which raised doubts and concerns regarding the use of this drug. According to the report, Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy and had only had one infusion prior to his death. The study also identified the effects of buprenorphine, drowning, and coronary artery disease as contributing factors to his demise. What then is this “fatal” depression medication that turned out to be the cause of Perry’s demise?

What is ketamine?

“Ketamine therapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, chronic pain, drug/alcohol problems, and more,” according to the Pacific Neuroscience Institute. On the other hand, buprenorphine, which was also discovered in Perry’s system, is typically used to treat opioid use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In reference to Matthew Perry’s passing, the Associated Press cited Dr. Andrew Stolbach as saying, “Using sedative drugs in a pool or hot tub, especially when you’re alone, is extremely risky and, sadly, here it’s fatal.”

Doctors use ketamine, commonly referred to as Ketalar, to numb patients’ pain during surgery. Because of its dissociative properties, ketamine is available in the US with a doctor’s prescription, but it is also illegally used. They could smoke it with other drugs, mix it into drinks, inject it, or sniff it. This drug has also been used recently to treat depression in patients who don’t respond well to traditional therapies, according to ABC and StatPearls, an online resource from the National Library of Medicine.

How is it illegal to abuse ketamine?

Despite the fact that ketamine has been used for many years in anesthesia and medicine, abuse has resulted from its ability to induce elevated states of consciousness. Ketamine is frequently abused illegally and is frequently mixed with other drugs, especially at raves and parties. When snorted, it takes a little longer—about five to fifteen minutes—while when injected, it starts working in seconds or minutes.

negative effects of ketamine overdose

Abuse of ketamine can lead to severe consequences. Excessive dosages can slow breathing so much that they cause deadly respiratory depression. Muscle weakness and spasms are other frequent side effects of ketamine abuse.