The journey of the drug ketamine has shifted since its inception in the 1960s as an anesthetic for humans and animals. In the present day, it resonates as both a promising therapy for severe depression and a tune played in the realm of recreational psychedelia.
It's also now tied to the tragic death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
The actor's autopsy report reveals that he succumbed to the acute effects of the mind-altering drug, ketamine. The 54-year-old tragically drowned at his Los Angeles residence. For further insights into ketamine, continue reading.
Ketamine is recognized for its effectiveness in addressing severe depression:
In 2006, scientists at the National Institutes of Health demonstrated that an intravenous administration of ketamine could alleviate severe depression within a few hours. This stands in contrast to other depression treatments such as Prozac and Zoloft, which often require weeks to show effects and may not be effective for every patient.
In 2018, NPR reported that Dr. Martin Teicher, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program at McLean Hospital, regarded the emerging applications of ketamine as "truly one of the most significant breakthroughs in psychiatry in a very long time."
In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for Spravato, a nasal spray and the initial antidepressant built on ketamine. Despite its rapid effectiveness, research indicates that the benefits of ketamine tend to diminish after a few days or weeks.
Matthew Perry, in particular, had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. His autopsy report revealed that the most recent infusion occurred a week and a half before his passing. However, the report suggested that the ketamine used for therapy was unlikely the cause of Perry's death, given its relatively short half-life in the system, which is approximately three to four hours or less.
It's also been linked to another high profile death:
Elijah McClain lost his life during a police encounter in Aurora, Colo., in August 2019. The 23-year-old, walking home at the time, faced a violent confrontation with three police officers.
After being brought to the ground and subjected to two carotid holds, two Aurora Fire Rescue Paramedics arrived at the scene. They administered a substantial dose of ketamine, at least 500 milligrams, to McClain. Unfortunately, his heart stopped while in the ambulance, and he never regained consciousness. Several days later, he was pronounced brain dead. The ongoing trial involves multiple felony charges against the paramedics, Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper.
The trials for Aurora Police Officers Jason Rosenblatt and Nathan Woodyard concluded with acquittals. The trial for the third officer, Randy Roedema, resulted in lesser charges.
The cause of Matthew Perry's passing revealed
What are the risks with ketamine?
Ketamine is not only used in medical contexts but has also found its way into party and club scenes due to its capacity to induce an "out of body" experience and short-term hallucinations.
Overdosing on ketamine can lead to various symptoms, including amnesia and seizures, as outlined by the American Addiction Centers. The Drug Enforcement Administration notes that it can also result in unconsciousness and dangerously slowed breathing.
While ketamine rarely causes an overdose as the sole drug taken, the risk of fatalities increases when it is combined with alcohol. Additionally, it has been associated with accidental injuries or fatalities, such as those occurring in car crashes or drownings, as observed in the case of Matthew Perry.
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