Lamar Odom Talks Ketamine Controversy Amid Matthew Perry's Death

Months after 'Friends' star Matthew Perry passed away, former NBA player Lamar Odom is speaking on his experience with Ketamine treatment. 

As you know, Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub last year. An autopsy later revealed that the actor died from acute effects of the drug Ketamine.

The autopsy confirmed that although Perry was utilizing Ketamine therapy at the time of his death, his last known treatment overseen by a medical professional was over one week before he passed. What this means is that the Ketamine found in Perry's system could not have been from Ketamine therapy because the drug’s half-life is only three to four hours.

For those of you who do not know, Ketamine therapy is a treatment used by many (including celebrities) to manage mental health conditions and treat depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Perry, specifically, was utilizing it for depression and anxiety, per the autopsy report, obtained by The Blast.

Former NBA player Lamar Odom is one of many celebrities who have been open about their use of Ketamine therapy. Odom, specifically, says that the Ketamine therapy has helped him in his addiction struggles tremendously, however, he did acknowledge the risks that come with Ketamine therapy.

According to Odom, the therapy treatments do work, and Matthew Perry's therapy was similar to his, but there are some serious things to be aware of when utilizing the treatment, such as not getting behind the wheel of a car.

Previously, the former NBA star stated he tried rehab at first, among “some other things,” before he found out about ketamine therapy. He experienced a near-death overdose back in 2015. When speaking on ketamine therapy at the time, Lamar Odom said that microdosing ketamine has helped him overcome his cocaine addiction.

Another thing to watch out for is the mistreatment of Ketamine, which is something addiction specialist, Scott Hadland, previously stated.

Dr. Scott Hadland stated that according to Matthew Perry’s autopsy report, he had a history of heart disease, which Ketamine, at high doses, can affect the heart. He also added that Perry had to have taken the Ketamine at home, as his last known therapy treatment was over one week before his death.

Matthew Perry‘s ex-girlfriend, Kayti Edwards, recently called for an investigation into the doctors who were treating Perry, claiming the actor may have obtained Ketamine from a medical professional rather than off the streets.

“Ketamine at high doses overstimulates the heart, [which] probably cost [Perry] to lose consciousness, which resulted in him drowning,” the addiction specialist said -- which makes sense, especially if Perry really was taking Ketamine at home, and not in the eyes of a doctor, he could not be monitored by a professional and he could have abused the drug.

What Dr. Haldand stated regarding the use of Ketamine aligns with what the autopsy report stated as Perry’s “history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, diabetes; drug use in past — reportedly clean for 19 months; heavy tobacco user for many years but currently not smoking; on ketamine infusion therapy with most recent therapy reportedly one and a half weeks before death.”

What this means is because of Matthew Perry's heart disease history, and his use of Ketamine, which he had to have taken at home since his last Ketamine therapy was over one week prior to his death, once the actor got into the hot tub, he more than likely lost consciousness and passed out, resulting in his drowning.