The cause of death of Matthew Perry has been revealed to be the acute effects of Ketamine.

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The beloved actor Matthew Perry's cause of death has been revealed to be the acute effects of Ketamine, according to an autopsy report. The news has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans who cherished Perry for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the popular television series "Friends Stars."

Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy before his death, reportedly for depression and anxiety. The toxicology report stated, "At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression."

American chemist Calvin L Stevens synthesized it in his lab in 1962, which was used as an animal and human anesthetic in the late 1960s and then in surgeries during the Vietnam War. Derived from a hallucinogenic drug Phencyclidine (PCP), it works by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain and spinal cord and increases a brain chemical or neurotransmitter called glutamate. In layman’s terms, this halts the transmission of pain in the spinal cord and activates reward pathways of the brain. Hence ketamine began to be used in pain management. Then, over the last decade or so, it was found to be a promising new treatment for severe depression because of its euphoric quality and began to be prescribed to pull patients out of their troughs.

Ketamine is illegally used as a recreational drug for its numbing and hallucinogenic effects. "There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents. He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. Per the Medical Examiner Investigator's report, his last known treatment was 1.5 weeks before death, and the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine's half-life is 3 to 4 hours or less,"

Sedatives like ketamine and buprenorphine are risky in water. For Perry, this mix could have been lethal “due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine", according to the autopsy report. These drugs likely raised his heart rate. They also reduced his breathing impulses.

 

Perry was drug-free for 19 months. On his death day, he played pickleball. His assistant found him unresponsive in the pool. No recent signs of alcohol or drugs were found.

As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Perry's death, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the complex nature of addiction and the potential consequences it can have on even the most celebrated individuals.