The fans and the entertainment industry were left devastated after the news of the passing of actor Matthew Perry. The ‘Friends’ actor was found unconscious in his jacuzzi in October 2023. At the time of his death, the cause of the death was unclear, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office declared that the cause of death was “deferred” until further investigation was conducted.
Now, the medical examiner has confirmed the cause of the death of Matthew Perry. The many reasons that caused the death were drowning, coronary artery disease, the effects of opioids, and buprenorphine. However, the major cause of death is the use of Kentamine, an effective drug used to cure severe depression.
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What Is Ketamine? The Origin And Effects Of The Drug
Image Courtesy: The New York Times
A recent autopsy report on Matthew Perry has revealed that the actor died due to the consumption of ketamine, a depression and recreational drug. The report stated that the primary reason for death is the “acute effects of ketamine.” The drug has been proven useful to cure post-traumatic stress disorder and serious mental health problems.
Matthew Perry was on ketamine drug infusion therapy. However, the therapy has not led to his death. Ketamine’s effects wear off in three hours or so. The dose infusion was done a week and a half before his death. So, there is a possibility that the actor consumed it right before his death.
Ketamine, which is called Cat Valium or Vitamin K, has been legally used in the US since the 1970s for anesthetic purposes and injectables. It causes hallucinogenic effects and affects a person’s vision and mind. The drug also causes stiffening of muscles, relaxation from pain, and a state of sedation.
In 1999, the drug, its isotopes, and isomers became a non-narcotic substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the drug in a nasal spray form, which is available only at certified doctor’s clinics.
The drug is effective if taken in moderation; an overdose can lead to slowed breathing and seizures, or it can also make the person fall unconscious. The autopsy report stated that the investigators found 3,271 nanograms of ketamine per milliliter in his system.
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Matthew Perry Talked About How He Survived The Alcohol And Drug Addiction
In 2022, Matthew Perry released his memoir ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’. In the book, he talks about his addiction to alcohol and drugs, which pushed him to the verge of death. During an interview with People, Perry talked about how he battled for his life in the hospital for five months after a colon burst due to heavy usage of opioids.
During the interview, Matthew Perry said that the doctor told his family that he had a two percent chance to live. He recalled, “I was put on a thing called an ECMO machine, which does all the breathing for your heart and your lungs. And that’s called a Hail Mary. No one survives that.”
In the interview further, he said, “There were five people put on an ECMO machine that night, and the other four died and I survived. So the big question is why? Why was I the one? There has to be some kind of reason.”
The ‘Friends’ actor said that his therapist gave him an ultimatum. He added, “My therapist said, ‘The next time you think about taking Oxycontin, just think about having a colostomy bag for the rest of your life.’ And a little window opened and I crawled through it and I no longer want Oxycontin anymore.” He candidly admitted that he had relapses and has been to rehab 15 times.
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