Ketamine was found in Matthew Perry‘s system, which ultimately caused of death, but investigators appear to be saying he might have been abusing the substance.
According to Perry’s autopsy report, the ‘Friends’ star was utilizing ketamine therapy at the time, but his last known treatment was over one week before he passed. Investors concluded “the exact method of intake of the drug found in his system is “unknown.”
Ketamine is a secluded anesthetic medication, also known as a psychedelic drug, that can be used in Ketamine therapy, a treatment used by many celebrities to manage mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Perry was using ketamine therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression, but his last known treatment was 1.5 weeks before his death. The ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy since ketamine’s half-life is three to four hours — plus no visible needle marks were found on Perry’s body.
Did Matthew Perry Obtain Ketamine Pills Prior To Death?
According to his autopsy report, obtained by The Blast, The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of Ketamine.
Interestingly, there were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents. If Perry injected the ketamine, or used it as a nasal spray, as they do in ketamine therapy, the trace of the drug would have been found in the blood system or in his naval cavity, but because it was found in his stomach, it is more than likely Perry consumed the drug by mouth in pill form — though it is important to note that the autopsy report states that “the exact method of intake in Mr. Perry’s case is unknown.”
It is unclear if Perry took pills or a nasal spray, but the report says there were no needle marks where it would have been injected.
The manner of death is an accident.
Last month, 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, face down, unresponsive.
Prescription anti-depressants and prescription anti-anxiety medications were reportedly found in Matthew Perry‘s home, but no loose pills or prescriptions were found in the pool area, per the documents.
Perry’s “history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, diabetes; drug use in past — reportedly clean for 19 months; heavy tobacco user for many years but currently not smoking; on ketamine infusion therapy with most recent therapy reportedly one and a half weeks before death,” the documents state.
What Is Ketamine and How Is It Used For Therapy?
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.
Lower dosage of ketamine is not FDA-approved, and those injections are used “off-label” to treat depression, pain, and other mental health/substance use disorders.
Many celebrities, including Elon Musk, Sharon Osbourne, and Lamar Odom, have used the therapy to help with mental health and struggles with addiction.