Overview

• Matthew Perry, the 'Friends' star, died due to the 'acute effects' of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, and accidental drowning. Perry was found unresponsive in his pool on October 28.
• Perry had a history of addiction issues and had been receiving monitored therapies at ketamine IV centers. However, the amount of ketamine in his system at the time of his death was far higher than the clinical dose.
• Ketamine is increasingly prescribed for depression and anxiety. It has been hailed as a revolutionary mental-health treatment, but its misuse can lead to serious health risks.
• Perry's death has triggered concerns about the safety of ketamine treatments, with patients postponing and canceling their treatments. Experts are grappling with how to talk about ketamine's dangers while avoiding moral panic.
• The actor's death has sparked a debate about the need for clear and unified guidelines for ketamine practitioners and the wider medical community.