Matthew Perry Condemns Ketamine in Memoir, Felt Like Dying

Matthew Perry, the well-known actor, penned down his thoughts about the drug that ultimately led to his demise. This came to light after an autopsy report revealed his sudden death in October was due to the “acute effects of ketamine”.

In his 2022 memoir, Perry had spoken about his aversion to the anesthetic. He was 54 at the time of his death. He had received ketamine infusions at a Swiss rehab clinic during the pandemic, as mentioned in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir”.

Perry explained that Ketamine, a popular street drug in the 1980s, now exists in a synthetic form. It’s used primarily for two purposes: to alleviate pain and to aid with depression. He further described his experiences with the drug, stating that he would “disassociate” during his infusions and often felt as if he were “dying”.

The actor recalled thinking, “This is what happens when you die,” during his infusions. Despite this, he continued to opt for the treatment because it was something different. He described taking the drug as being hit with a “giant happy shovel”, but also noted that the resulting hangover was harsh.

Perry’s toxicology report revealed that he had been receiving ketamine infusions even after his stay in Switzerland. His last infusion occurred about a week and a half before his death. However, the medical examiner noted that the half-life of ketamine is only three to four hours, making it impossible for his last infusion to have contributed to his passing.

Dr. Bankole Johnson, a leading neuroscientist and physician, opined that the ketamine in Perry’s system was “more likely” for recreational use. It remains unclear how Perry obtained recreational ketamine.

In addition to ketamine, Perry’s autopsy report confirmed that he died of drowning, coronary artery disease, and the opioid buprenorphine. Perry, who had openly struggled with addiction for years but was thought to have been sober for 19 months before his passing, was found dead in his pool at his Pacific Palisades, California residence.

Perry wanted to be remembered not just as a renowned actor, but also as an advocate for those battling similar struggles. He had established the Perry House in 2013 to aid others with their sobriety. He also had plans to start a foundation for those battling addiction before his death.

His dream was realized shortly after his death with the launch of the Matthew Perry Foundation. Perry had expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well, and sought to help others. He took pride in his ability to help those struggling with alcohol addiction.