Ketamine was found Matthew Perry‘s system, which ultimately caused his death, but investigators appear to say he may have abused the substance.
According to Perry’s autopsy report, the “Friends” star was using ketamine therapy at the time, but his last known treatment lasted more than a week before he died. Investors concluded “the exact method of ingestion of the drug found in his system is “unknown.”
Ketamine is a sequestered anesthetic drug, also known as a psychedelic drug, that can be used Ketamine therapya treatment used by many celebrities to manage mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Perry used ketamine therapy to treat anxiety and depression, but his last known treatment was a week and a half before his death. The ketamine in his system at death couldn’t have come from that IV therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is three to four hours — and no visible needle marks were found on Perry’s body.
Was Matthew Perry given ketamine pills before his death?
![Toxicology report reveals how much ketamine was in Matthew Perry's system](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/2023/12/15150453/Matthew-Perry-Ketamine-Use-scaled.jpg)
According to his autopsy report obtained by The BlastThe County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) has determined the cause of death of 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine.
Interestingly, traces of ketamine were detected in the stomach contents. If Perry had injected the ketamine or used it as a nasal spray, as in ketamine therapy, trace amounts of the drug would have been found in the blood system or in his naval cavity. because it was found in his stomach, it is more than likely that Perry took the drug by mouth in pill form – although it is important to note that the autopsy report states that “The exact method of ingestion in Mr. Perry’s case is unknown.”
It is not clear if Perry had taken 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 accidental.
![Matthew Perry Ketamine](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/2023/11/10104843/Details-on-Matthew-Perry-Passed-Away-scaled.jpg)
Last month, police responded to a 911 call to assist with a possible “water rescue” at Matthew Perry’s home in the Pacific Palisades. When they arrived, they found the 54-year-old “Friends” actor in the heated area of his pool, face down and unresponsive.
Prescription antidepressants and anxiety medications were reportedly found in Matthew Perry’s home, but no loose pills or prescriptions were found in the pool, according to the documents.
Perry’s “history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, diabetes; past drug use – reportedly 19 months clean; A heavy tobacco user for many years, but not currently smoking; on ketamine infusion therapy, with the most recent therapy reportedly occurring a week and a half before death,” the documents said.
What is ketamine and how is it used for therapy?
![Toxicology report reveals how much ketamine was in Matthew Perry's system](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/2023/12/15150512/Matthew-Perry-Ketamine-scaled.jpg)
Ketamine is approved for use in high doses as an anesthetic in the operating room. Although ketamine has been approved and legalized by the FDA for use as a general anesthetic since the 1970s, it can be abused as a recreational drug.
Lower dosage ketamine is not FDA approved and those injections are used “off-label” to treat depression, pain and other mental/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.