The autopsy report reveals the cause of death for ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry: The cause of death for Matthew Perry has been disclosed. On Friday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office disclosed that the October death of the late “Friends” actor was deemed an accident, attributing the cause to “the acute effects of ketamine.” Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine is described as “an opioid-like drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction as well as acute and chronic pain,” The report confirms that there were no indications of “fatal trauma, and no foul play is suspected.”
How did Matthew Perry die?
Matthew Perry was discovered unresponsive and face-down in the heated section of his pool on October 28, as indicated by information from his autopsy. A passerby had brought the individual’s head above the water and assisted in reaching the pool’s edge, after which firefighters removed him upon their arrival. Unfortunately, a swift medical evaluation disclosed that the individual had passed away before the first responders arrived.
The last individual to see him alive that afternoon was his live-in personal assistant, as stated in the autopsy report. Perry had returned from playing pickleball. Subsequently, the assistant left Perry’s residence for a few hours to attend to errands and found his body at 4 p.m. Responding officers officially declared him deceased at 4:17 p.m.
there were no pills, drugs, or medications discovered in proximity to the pool. Additionally, his system tested negative for substances such as alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Exploring the Influence of Elevated Ketamine Levels in the Demise of Matthew Perry
The postmortem examination, conducted the day following his passing, characterizes Perry as a “54-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, diabetes; a previous history of drug use— reportedly clean for 19 months; a heavy tobacco user for many years but presently not smoking; undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, with the most recent session reported to be one and a half weeks before his demise.”
The medical examiner highlights that the concentration of ketamine, a “dissociative anesthetic,” detected in his system reached levels as high as 3,540 nanograms per milliliter. The report specifies that “levels for general anesthesia are typically in the 1,000-6,000 ng/ml ranges.”
While Perry was “reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety,” as per the report, it is noted that “the ketamine in his system at the time of death could not be attributed to that infusion therapy, given that ketamine has a half-life of 3 to 4 hours, or less.” The manner of intake remains unclear.
“The report indicates that at the elevated levels of ketamine identified in his postmortem blood specimens, the primary lethal effects would result from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression,” it states. “Drowning is a contributing factor due to the potential submersion into the pool as he became unconscious; coronary artery disease is also a contributing factor due to the exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart.”
What are the effects of ketamine?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that has received approval from the FDA, and in recent decades, it has gained recognition for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties.
In 2019, the FDA formally sanctioned esketamine, commonly known as ketamine nasal spray, for the treatment of depression. This approval specifically pertains to major depressive disorder involving suicidal ideation and treatment-resistant depression, which implies that at least two alternative antidepressant treatments have proven ineffective.
Dr. Nolan Williams, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, previously conveyed to USA TODAY that the precise impact of ketamine on mood remains unclear due to the simultaneous occurrence of multiple mechanisms. Unlike influencing dopamine or serotonin, neuroscience studies indicate that ketamine primarily acts on a neurotransmitter called glutamate. This targeting of glutamate is believed to enhance the brain’s capacity to establish enduring and transformative lifestyle patterns.
Certain experts have suggested that the dissociative encounter during a ketamine “trip” could potentially contribute to alleviating depressive symptoms. While there is no concrete evidence linking the trip directly to mood changes, Dr. Alexander Papp, a board-certified psychiatrist and voluntary clinical professor at UC San Diego, notes that some of his patients attribute their enhanced perspective on life to the psychedelic qualities of ketamine.
How is ketamine abused? And what is ‘Special K’?
Ketamine, a painkiller with applications as a sedative and treatment for depression, is also recognized as a “club drug” by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This designation stems from its ability to induce “dissociative sensations and hallucinations.” While ketamine has legitimate medical uses, its misuse in recreational settings for its psychoactive effects has raised concerns, leading to its classification as a substance with potential for abuse.
Ketamine initially gained attention as a counterculture drug in the 1970s and experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, earning the moniker “Special K” as a popular club drug.
What happens in ketamine therapy?
As outlined by psychiatrist Dr. Amanda Itzkoff, the frequency of ketamine treatment sessions varies for each patient. Typically, standard treatment involves sessions twice a week for four weeks, followed by a reduced frequency of once a week for an additional four weeks. Legally, ketamine can be administered either orally or through an intravenous (IV) injection. However, as of now, the only FDA-approved method is intranasal ketamine administration.
In the course of a session, individuals frequently undergo an altered and trancelike experience, lasting approximately one or two hours. Concurrently, they may receive guidance through talk therapy, commonly referred to as ketamine-assisted therapy.
“When patients are in a highly vulnerable state, our aim is often to assist them in accessing various emotions,” explains Itzkoff. “This is most effectively achieved in a controlled and secure setting.” To ensure the patient’s comfort, she mentions offering options such as “dimming the lights, preparing music, or providing eye shades,” as ketamine administration may induce feelings of dizziness in patients.
Was Matthew Perry sober?
Matthew Perry was candid about his struggles with alcohol and drugs, a journey he documented in his 2022 memoir titled “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” Through his writing, marked by candor and compassion, Perry underscored his unwavering commitment to persevere in the face of a nearly fatal struggle. At the time of his death, Perry’s autopsy revealed the absence of alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, PCP, and fentanyl in his system.
Jennifer Aniston recently stated that Matthew Perry was doing well in his personal life before his passing, as she shared with Variety.
“He was happy. He was healthy,” remarked Aniston. “He had quit smoking. He was getting in shape. He was genuinely content — that’s all I know. I was texting with him that morning, the funny Matty. He was not in pain. He wasn’t struggling.”