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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office released an autopsy report stating that Matthew Perry passed away due to the “acute effects of ketamine.”
Additionally, other contributing factors included “coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects” according to Fox News Digital. At the time of his passing, Perry was found in a hot tub at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, with the incident being described as an apparent drowning.
The report also noted the presence of “prescription medications and loose pills” at his residence. The medical examiner also noted that the effects of buprenorphine played a role in contributing to his death.
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Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the popular television series “Friends,” had publicly struggled with drug addiction. His battle with addiction began during the later seasons of “Friends” in the early 2000s.
Perry was open about his struggles with substances, including alcohol and prescription drugs. He spoke candidly in interviews about his addiction issues and the impact they had on his personal and professional life. He had used his platform to raise awareness about addiction and the importance of seeking help.
One of the drugs found in his system, ketamine, is a multifaceted medication predominantly used as a dissociative anesthetic in medical settings. In addition to its anesthetic uses, ketamine is increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in pain management, especially in cases of chronic pain.
Moreover, it has garnered significant attention in the field of mental health due to its rapid antidepressant effects, particularly for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. These therapeutic applications involve lower dosages and are typically administered in controlled medical environments.
Ketamine’s mechanism of action primarily involves the blockade of NMDA receptors in the brain, which play a crucial role in the modulation of pain, mood, and cognitive functions. However, it’s important to note that ketamine can also produce side effects, such as hallucinations and dizziness, and its use needs to be carefully managed to mitigate these risks.
Buprenorphine, on the other hand, is a medication primarily used in the treatment of opioid addiction. It belongs to a class of drugs known as partial opioid agonists, which means it can produce effects similar to opioids but to a much lesser degree. This makes buprenorphine a key component in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction.
The drug works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, but it does so in a way that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same high as other opioids. This helps individuals who are dependent on opioids to taper off their use under medical supervision.
Buprenorphine is often preferred in the treatment of opioid addiction because it has a lower risk of abuse, addiction, and side effects compared to full opioid agonists like methadone. Additionally, the ceiling effect of buprenorphine—where increased doses do not result in increased effects after a certain point—reduces the risk of overdose.
This story is still developing…