Matthew Perry wrote about the drug that contributed to his death.
Hours after an autopsy report revealed that the actor died suddenly in October from the “acute effects of ketamine,” part of his 2022 memoir has resurfaced in which he discussed his dislike of the anesthetic.
Perry, who died at age 54, revealed in “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir” that he received ketamine infusions at a Swiss rehab clinic during the pandemic.
“Ketamine was a very popular street drug in the 1980s. There is now a synthetic form of it and it is used for two reasons: to relieve pain and to treat depression,” he explained.
“Today there is a synthetic form of it, and it is used for two reasons: to relieve pain and to help with depression,” he explained in “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.” Getty Images He wrote that he felt “distanced” during his infusions and even felt like he was “dying.” Portal Although he said the ketamine certainly helped in the short term, he didn't like the “hangover” it caused. Portal
“It has my name all over it – it might as well have been called 'Matty,'” he wrote.
The “Friends” alum described the drug as a “huge exhale” and said he would get ketamine while blindfolded and listening to music.
He explained that during his infusions he “distanced” and often felt like he was “dying.”
His autopsy report released Friday found that Perry died on Oct. 28 from “acute effects of ketamine.” AP
“'Oh,' I thought, 'This is what happens when you die,'” he recalled.
“Still, I would still sign up for this thing again because it was something different and everything that is different is good.”
Perry further explained, “Taking K is like getting hit in the head with a giant, happy shovel. But the hangover was hard and outweighed the shovel.”
Although he had received routine IV fluids, according to the report, a medical expert told Page Six that the ketamine found in his system was “likely” recreational drugs. GC images
“Ketamine wasn’t for me.”
Perry's toxicology report revealed that he had also received ketamine infusions after his stay in Switzerland, but the last one occurred about a week and a half before his death.
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The popular “Friends” star has openly struggled with his sobriety over the years. TheImageDirect.com
However, the coroner specifically noted that the half-life of ketamine is only three to four hours, making it impossible that his last transfusion was a cause of his death.
Dr. Bankole Johnson, one of the leading neuroscientists and doctors in the field, exclusively told Page Six on Friday that the ketamine in Perry's body was “more suitable” for recreational use.
It is not clear how he obtained recreational ketamine.
He is believed to have been sober for 19 months before his death. Getty Images
In addition to ketamine, the “17 Again” star died from drowning, coronary artery disease and the opioid buprenorphine, his autopsy report also confirmed.
Perry — who openly struggled with addiction for years but was believed to have been sober for 19 months before his death — was found dead in his pool at his Pacific Palisades, Calif., residence on Oct. 28 by his assistant who was running errands for him.
He wanted to be remembered not only as a famous actor, but also as an advocate for those who also had problems.
He founded the Perry House in 2013 to help others with their sobriety and, before his death, had plans to create a foundation for those struggling with addiction.
Perry previously said he hoped to be remembered as someone who helped others overcome addiction after his death. ©Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
His dream came true a few days after his death when the Matthew Perry Foundation was founded.
“I want to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well and was a seeker,” the actor noted in a November 2022 interview on the “Q with Tom Power” podcast.
“And his main concern is that he wants to help people. This is what I want.”
“The best thing about me is when someone comes to me and says, 'I can't stop drinking, can you help me?' I can say yes and follow up and do it,” he added.