‘Ketamine Queen’ Guilty Plea In Matthew Perry Case Raises Alarming Questions From Experts

The shocking guilty plea of Jasveen Sangha, infamously dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” has reignited painful memories of Matthew Perry’s untimely death and sparked a nationwide conversation about the risks of ketamine misuse. Sangha admitted to five federal counts tied to the overdose of the "Friends" star, who was found dead in his Los Angeles pool on October 28, 2023. Matthew Perry's death was ruled an accidental ketamine overdose, a devastating end for the actor who openly shared his decades-long battle with addiction.

While ketamine has gained traction in recent years as a treatment for depression and anxiety, medical professionals caution that unsupervised use can quickly turn deadly. The Blast spoke with Richard Taite, founder of Carrara Treatment and a leader in celebrity rehab care, as well as Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel, Sr. Medical Officer at Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, to break down the medical and cultural implications of Perry’s case and what must change to protect others in recovery.

Federal prosecutors say Sangha preyed on Matthew Perry's vulnerability, providing unsupervised doses that fueled a dependence spiraling out of control. Her guilty plea includes charges of maintaining a drug-involved premises, multiple counts of ketamine distribution, and distribution resulting in death or serious injury, per NBC.

For Taite, the case reflects a heartbreaking reality in Hollywood. “I wasn’t shocked, but I was angry,” he told The Blast exclusively. “Addiction already tries to kill you every day. You don’t need a dealer helping it along.” Celebrities, he explained, are uniquely vulnerable to predatory dealers. “For the average person, drugs are about availability. For celebrities, they’re about secrecy. A dealer becomes the ‘trusted source,’ but really, they’re the most dangerous person in the room.”

Dr. Spielvogel, who has decades of experience in addiction medicine, underscored the dual nature of ketamine. “Ketamine is a powerful medication with real therapeutic value when used in the right hands. But outside a controlled medical setting, it becomes unpredictable and unsafe,” he explained.

Under supervision, ketamine can be delivered in precise doses with vital signs monitored, offering relief for patients with treatment-resistant depression. But in recreational or unsupervised contexts, risks skyrocket. Misuse can cause cognitive impairment, bladder and kidney damage, psychological dependence, and in some cases, fatal consequences. “It’s the difference between a scalpel in a surgeon’s hand and a knife in the street,” Spielvogel said. “Same tool, very different outcomes.”

Despite his resources and access to world-class care, Matthew Perry still succumbed to the grip of addiction, highlighting the chronic and relentless nature of substance use disorders. “Addiction is not a failure of willpower or intelligence. It’s a chronic, relapsing brain disease,” Dr. Spielvogel emphasized.

Taite agreed, noting that at Carrara, one of his central messages to celebrity clients is dismantling the illusion of invincibility. “Your money can buy you privacy, comfort, and the best clinicians in the world, but it can’t buy you freedom from addiction. What we do is strip away that illusion and replace it with the tools and therapy to actually heal.”

Both experts stressed that Matthew Perry's openness about his struggles remains one of his most powerful legacies. “Matthew Perry’s honesty was his greatest gift,” Taite said. “His legacy should remind people in Hollywood, and everywhere else, that addiction thrives in silence. Speaking up saves lives.”

Beyond Perry’s personal story lies a broader issue of accountability. The supply side of addiction is as dangerous as the demand, according to Spielvogel. “Providers who knowingly put dangerous substances into circulation are not just breaking the law; they are complicit in preventable deaths and suffering,” he said.

Taite echoed that sentiment, calling for tougher enforcement and cultural change. “Legally, go after these dealers like you would someone pointing a loaded gun because that’s exactly what they’re doing,” he urged. He also pointed to Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman as an example of prosecuting “the right way,” suggesting that consistency across jurisdictions is key to real progress.

So, what can be done to prevent future tragedies? Both experts agree the solution requires both systemic and social shifts. Families worried about loved ones turning to underground sources should focus on open, nonjudgmental conversations. “Shame pushes people further underground,” Spielvogel said, adding that early intervention is critical. “Addiction and misuse thrive in silence. Involving a physician, therapist, or treatment program sooner rather than later can save lives.”

Culturally, Taite stressed the need to end the glamorization of celebrity “party culture.” He likened recovery to athletic training, telling The Blast, “It should be respected the same way we respect training for the Olympics. Because if you’re fighting addiction, you are literally fighting for your life every day.”

The guilty plea of Jasveen Sangha may bring some justice in Matthew Perry’s case, but both Spielvogel and Taite caution that it won’t fix a broken system. Perry’s tragic death serves as both a warning and a call to action that ketamine misuse is deadly, accountability is essential, and addiction spares no one... not even beloved television icons.