Matthew Perry’s Tragic Cause Of Death Revealed: Ketamine Overdose

Less than two months after Matthew Perry’s drowning death at the far too young age of 54, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office issued a report tonight that attributed his death to the “acute effects of ketamine,” Variety reports.

“Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder),” the report states. The death was ruled to be accidental.

Perry was found unresponsive in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles residence on October 28, 2023, after a vigorous session of pickleball. He was discovered by his assistant, who subsequently contacted the paramedics; Perry was not revived, and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Tonight’s report, sadly, does not come as a complete surprise. Perry was very vocal about his struggles with drug and alcohol abuse over the years, and the toxicology report issued tonight confirms that he had relapsed. While TMZ is reporting that the coroner’s report concluded that the medical examiner “found no evidence of alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, PCP or fentanyl” in Perry’s system, the Friends star had apparently completed a course of ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety in the weeks leading up to his untimely death. According to TMZ, the ketamine in his bloodstream at the time of his death “could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less.”

Perry’s method of ketamine intake is unknown, but the dose he took after his pickleball session resulted in cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression, causing Perry to lose consciousness and, ultimately, his life.

What Is Ketamine?

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), ketamine is defined as being:

“a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for use in humans and animals. It is referred to as a “dissociative anesthetic” because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment.

Ketamine can induce a state of sedation (feeling calm and relaxed), immobility, relief from pain, and amnesia (no memory of events while under the influence of the drug).”

Ketamine was first primary used in veterinary practices as a tranquilizer for horses and other large animals. It became a popular recreational drug in the rave scene of the ’80s and ’90s, and has recently become en vogue with Silicon Valley types who microdose — and sometimes macrodose — the drug to treat depression and spark creativity.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.