The doctor who was administering ketamine treatments to Matthew Perry backs the therapy, saying it has a success rate of 70% of patients.
According to his autopsy report, Perry was utilizing Ketamine therapy at the time of his death for anxiety and depression, however, his last known treatment overseen by a medical professional was over one week before he passed.
Dr. Andre Atoian whose name appears to have been partially blacked out in the report, named in the report, obtained by The Blast, is a specialist in Ketamine therapy.
An unidentified woman told investigators Matthew Perry was having “Ketamine treatments.” She added, “His last doctor was treating him more frequently, and he was having treatments every other day. But, his new doctor (6 months) stated that since he was in a good mood, his depression was fine, and he did not need more treatments. His most recent treatment was a week and a half ago.”
At the time of his death, it’s unclear if Dr. Atoian was the new doctor or the previous one — but, it names him as the “current” doctor.
Matthew Perry’s Primary Care Doctor Backs Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine infusion treatments are “quickly being recognized as one of the most important advances in modern-day therapy for depression,” according to Perry’s primary care doctor, Dr. Andre Atoian. “Standard therapy targeting the neurotransmitters involved with mood have not shown to be effective for a large number of individuals who take them. Yet countless individuals continue to take these drugs simply because there is no better option.”
He went on to explain that “while no single approach or type of treatment will help everyone,” the drug is “remarkable in that it has a success rate of up to 70% for patients who have tried conventional treatment.”
Dr. Andre Atoian is the founder and medical director of Ketamine Specialists.
“While new investigations are underway to understand the true scope of ketamine’s powers, current evidence suggests that ketamine has the ability to reset and regrow our brain cells, allowing patients to take back control of their lives,” Dr. Atoian said of the therapy.
Matthew Perry’s Doctor Explains How Ketamine Therapy Is Performed
According to Dr. Atoian, ketamine therapy infusions are conducted in private rooms on comfortable recliner chairs and are done through an intravenous (IV) infusion as it is the most efficient way to deliver the treatment.
“Once an IV is placed, we use the smallest needle possible with advanced numbing techniques, the infusion will begin. The experience is usually described as pleasant and relaxing,” Dr. Atoian said of the process.
“Mild dissociation may occur. Soothing music is provided if requested,” he added.
Matthew Perry talked about his ketamine therapy in his 2022 memoir, stating that ketamine was a “giant exhale” that he would receive while blindfolded and listening to music.
During the treatments, Dr. Atoian states the patient will be monitored with state-of-the-art equipment. Once the treatment is over, patients may feel light-headed for one to two hours afterward.
Matthew Perry’s Autopsy Report Reveals Ketamine Was In His System
On October 28, police responded to a 911 call to assist with a possible “water rescue” at Matthew Perry’s Pacific Palisades home. When they arrived, they found the 54-year-old “Friends” actor in the heated section of his pool, unresponsive.
The autopsy report stated that “drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart. Buprenorphine effects are listed as contributory, even though not at toxic levels, due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine.”
Ketamine is approved for use at high doses as an anesthetic in the operating room. Even though ketamine has been FDA-approved and legalized for use as a general anesthetic since the 1970s, it can be abused as a recreational drug.
We have reached out to ‘Ketamine Specialists,’ so far no comment.