Matthew Perry’s cause of death has been confirmed, weeks after he unexpectedly died.
The “Friends” star died of acute effects of ketamine, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Matthew Perry’s cause of death
The 54-year-old actor’s cause of death was listed as acute effects of ketamine. Ketamine is used as a therapy for mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, and it’s also used recreationally. The coroner report did not specify how Perry was using ketamine.
“Contributing factors in Mr. 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,” the coroner report read.
What are the effects of ketamine?
Ketamine is a “dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects,” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It can make the person using it feel disconnected from their environment and pain. It can also create a feeling of sedation and immobility.
How can ketamine lead to death?
When a person overdoses on ketamine, they may go unconscious and their breathing may slow to a dangerous degree, according to the DEA.
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy is when the drug, approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration for decades as an anesthetic, is used, usually either by infusion or injection or inhaling, to treat mental illnesses like depression or anxiety, TODAY previously reported. In fact, the FDA has approved a nasal spray called Spravato, which contains ketamine, for treatment-resistant depression.
Growing research shows that ketamine can be a powerful way to treat depression that hasn’t improved with other medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s unclear exactly how ketamine may improve depression and anxiety symptoms, but it may boost feel-good chemicals, similar to traditional antidepressants, reduce inflammation and help form new pathways in the brain that can encourage new behaviors and thought…
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