Actor Matthew Perry, who was found dead on October 28 in his pool in Los Angeles (United States), died “accidentally” after consuming ketamine, as revealed this Friday by the autopsy.
Read also: Jennifer Aniston pays tribute to Matthew Perry: “He loved making people laugh”
“The cause of death of actor Matthew Langford Perry, 54, was the acute effects of ketamine”stated the Los Angeles Forensic Medical Department about the interpreter, known for playing Chandler in the legendary series ‘Friends’.
“Contributing factors to Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). The manner of death is accident.”he detailed.
Matthew Perry
Perry achieved his popularity thanks to ‘Friends’, a series about a group of six incarnate friends. Also, by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, which lasted ten seasons between 1994 and 2004.
He also starred in films such as ‘The Whole Nine Yards’, in which he shared the screen with Bruce Willis.
As the actor himself confessed in his book ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’ (2022), while he was part of the cast of ‘Friends’ he suffered several episodes of drug and alcohol addiction.
His death was shocking for fans of the series and also for his co-stars, who shared emotional tributes to say goodbye.
This same week, in an interview with Variety, Aniston had referred to her friend: “He was happy. He was healthy. He had stopped smoking. He was getting in shape. He was happy, that’s all I know.”
What is ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication used primarily to initiate and maintain anesthesia. It has dissociative properties, meaning it can induce a feeling of detachment from one’s own body and environment. Here are some key points about ketamine:
- Use in Anesthesia: Ketamine is known for its ability to keep cardiorespiratory functions relatively stable, making it useful in situations where other anesthetics could be dangerous. It is especially useful in medical emergencies and in the anesthesia of patients at risk of shock.
- Dissociative and Psychedelic Effects: Ketamine can cause dissociative experiences and hallucinations. These effects have made it popular in some recreational circles and in club drug culture.
- Use in Psychiatry: Recently, ketamine has gained attention for its potential in treating disorders such as treatment-resistant major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It works differently than traditional antidepressants and may offer quick symptom relief for some patients.
- Risks and Side Effects: Although ketamine is generally safe when used under medical supervision, abuse of this substance can lead to serious health problems, including dependence, cognitive impairment, and damage to the urinary tract.
- Control and Regulation: Due to its potential for abuse and psychoactive effects, ketamine is regulated in many countries. Its use is generally restricted to medical or research settings.
It is important to remember that although ketamine has legitimate medical uses, its misuse can be dangerous and is subject to legal and health restrictions.
