Matthew Perry's Death Ruled as Result of 'Acute Effects of Ketamine'

The 'Friends' star was receiving ketamine-infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, highlighting the risks of the drug in unregulated settings.

Matthew Perry's death has been ruled as a result of the 'acute effects of ketamine', according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office.
Perry was receiving ketamine-infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, with his last known treatment being a week and a half before his death.
The ketamine found in Perry's system could not have been from his last known therapy session, as the drug's half-life is under four hours.
Perry's death has brought attention to the use of ketamine, a drug that has proven to be an effective mental health treatment but poses risks in recreational and unregulated settings.
Contributing factors in Perry's death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.