Matthew Perry's Deadly Ketamine Therapy Very Popular Amongst Celebrities

Matthew Perry, who had a large amount of Ketamine, in his system ultimately causing his death, is not the only celebrity to have gone through ketamine therapy.

The drug, which can have hallucinogenic effects, has been legalized for use as a general anesthetic since the 1970s and it can also be used (in smaller doses) for Ketamine therapy as a treatment for addiction and depression -- something that Matthew Perry was utilizing before his death.

Ketamine therapy is a treatment used by many (including celebrities) to manage mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Although ketamine was named as Perry's cause of death, he did use it as a treatment for anxiety and depression -- but Perry was not the only celebrity to utilize ketamine therapy.

According to documents, obtained by The Blast, Matthew Perry was using ketamine therapy every other day until he found a new doctor, who he was seeing for six months before his death. The new doctor determined he was "in a good mood" and his "depression was fine" so he had stopped ketamine therapy for the time being, per the docs.

However, the documents also state that his last known ketamine therapy treatment was over one week before he was found unresponsive. At the time of death, Perry still had ketamine in his system, though, the autopsy report states that the ketamine found in his system was not from treatment, as the drug's half-life is just three to four hours.

“The cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder),” the document, obtained by The Blast, states.

Sharon Osbourne is one of many celebrities to utilize ketamine therapy, which she decided to pursue after she experienced an on-screen debate about racism -- resulting in an emotional fallout and her ultimately leaving the show. She then sought professional help and began Ketamine treatments.

Following the help she received, she described the treatment as a “truth drug,” explaining how Ketamine therapy made it possible for her to feel secure and be able to address the root of her problems. “If you’re a person who stuffs things [down], this drug relaxes you…You can’t bulls— on [Ketamine]. It’s a truth drug.”, Osbourne told The Times a few years ago.

NBA legend Lamar Odom also opened up about using ketamine to help him with his struggle with addiction.

The former NBA star stated he had already tried rehab and “some other things,” before he found out about ketamine therapy. He experienced a near-death overdose back in 2015.

When speaking on ketamine therapy, Lamar Odom said that microdosing ketamine has helped him overcome his cocaine addiction.

Earlier this year, comedian Pete Davidson admitted to using ketamine every day for over four years before he checked into rehab in June.

"I am fresh out of rehab, everyone," Davidson said in September after spending months in rehab. "I got that post-rehab glow. Seventh time's the charm!"

Even though ketamine has been FDA-approved and legalized for use as a general anesthetic since the 1970s, it can be abused as a recreational drug -- which is, unfortunately, what Pete Davidson did. Luckily, he is fresh out of rehab and seems to be doing well!

Earlier this month, Chrissy Teigen shared how she spent her birthday -- by getting ketamine treatment.

“I had a really nice birthday,” she wrote in her Instagram caption at the time. “Went to see my friends @flamingo_estate, had a beautiful lunch with friends, then did ketamine therapy and saw space and time and baby jack and some weird penguins and cried and cried and cried. Then laid with my babies, then hot pot, then hung with my best friend."

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their website here.