What is Ketamine? All about the drug linked to Matthew Perry's death

On October 22, 2023, fans around the world were shocked by the news of Matthew Perry’s death. Best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom series Friends, Perry passed away at the age of 54. The circumstances surrounding his death were equally shocking.

Matthew Perry allegedly died due to the unsupervised use of ketamine, which in itself has prompted a long-running investigation with respect to the suppliers of the drug. The actor was found in a pool at his home in Pacific Palisades, and a total of five people have been charged in the case since.

Ketamine is a powerful anti-depressant and a party drug, and Perry was known to have been addicted to it for several years. Before his death, he underwent therapy for depression and anxiety, which was reported to have been caused by the ‘acute effects’ of ketamine.

---

What is ketamine, the substance linked to Matthew Perry’s death?

Matthew Perry's death was linked to the effects of the drug, which contributed to his being found drowned in the pool at his home. The investigation has resulted in charges against five people connected to the supply of the drug: two doctors, a drug dealer known as the ‘Ketamine queen’ of North Hollywood, and Matthew Perry’s live-in assistant.

Ketamine was originally developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic. However, its usage has since evolved, and in 2006, ketamine was proven as a drug capable of inducing relief for patients suffering from depression. The drug has been said to be much more effective than traditional medicines that are used for similar conditions, including Prozac and Zoloft.

The drug has also been approved by the FDA as part of Spravato, a nasal spray also used to ease depression. However, the drug comes with more than its fair share of risks and has traditionally been seen as a party drug. Its usage alongside other drugs is known to induce various hallucinogenic effects, which include various ‘out of body' experiences.

Further, the use of ketamine is also associated with amnesia, seizures, and dangerously slow breathing, which can induce unconsciousness. The drug becomes even more dangerous when combined with alcohol, something that reportedly led to Matthew Perry’s death as well.

Regardless, the actor was also a victim of various people around him. Two doctors, namely Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, in collaboration with Perry’s live-in assistant and the drug dealer, provided him with unsupervised amounts of ketamine. His assistant reportedly injected him with the drug multiple times a day, and the people around him seemingly saw him as a means to make a profit.

The misuse of ketamine has led to multiple deaths in the past, especially when used in combination with other drugs. Perry’s death comes as a stark warning to individuals struggling with a variety of ailments. Ketamine as a drug is extremely dangerous when taken in unsupervised conditions, and it can easily lead to concerning situations.

Matthew Perry had struggled with the drug for years and had documented his troubles in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Despite undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to manage the depression and anxiety, he was known to have been struggling with them for years.