Matthew Perry’s friend reveals where ‘Friends’ star erred in his controversial ketamine treatment

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Matthew Perry’s tragic death on October 28, 2023, shocked the world, but it also sparked renewed discussions about the dangers of ketamine when used outside professional supervision.

The 'Friends' star, known for his portrayal of the iconic Chandler Bing, died of a ketamine overdose at his Pacific Palisades home.

Matthew Perry's friend warns against recreational use of ketamine

Matthew Perry's death has since raised concerns about the misuse of the drug ketamine and the delicate balance between its therapeutic benefits and risks.

Asher Gottesman, a friend of Perry and founder of the Transcend Recovery Community, weighed in on the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death.

Gottesman, who runs one of the largest sober living chains in the country, emphasized the importance of ketamine for treating severe depression but cautioned against its use outside a clinical setting.

“Ketamine being used on a recreational basis or being used afterward on a regular basis is very dangerous,” he explained, as per The New York Post.

Perry had been undergoing weeks of ketamine therapy for depression, but things took a dark turn in his final days.

His live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, later revealed that he had given the actor at least 27 shots of ketamine in the five days leading up to his death, with the last three doses proving fatal.

The overdose occurred shortly after Perry allegedly asked Iwamasa to “shoot me up with a big one".

Matthew Perry's friend claims actor's death could have been avoided with supervised ketamine use

Asher Gottesman believes Matthew Perry’s death could have been avoided if the actor had continued his treatments in a supervised environment.

“He ended up using the substance that he was using for good to harm himself because he ended up using it at home,” Gottesman said.

“And I think that was the major danger — had he just used it at a clinic.”

While ketamine has proven to be “extremely important” for treating those battling severe depression, Gottesman insists that strict regulations and oversight are essential to prevent further tragedies.

“Substances that can save lives can also kill lives,” he remarked, urging that ketamine be administered only in controlled, appropriate environments.

Perry’s long history of substance abuse is well-documented.

Over the years, the actor reportedly battled both painkiller and alcohol addictions, sharing openly about his struggles and recovery efforts. But his fight with depression and pain seemed to lead him to dangerous alternatives in his final weeks.

Despite his success on-screen, Perry was still searching for ways to cope with his inner demons, which ultimately led to his reliance on ketamine.

Iwamasa, along with doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, and street dealer Erik Fleming, were charged in connection with Perry’s death. Also implicated was Jasveen Sangha, the so-called 'Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles'.

These charges highlight the growing issue of ketamine abuse and its potential to spiral out of control without proper medical oversight.

“If we set up a system under which we can protect those that are using it and only give it in appropriate environments, then we can prevent these tragedies,” Gottesman said, emphasizing the need for stringent protocols.