In a tragic turn of events, the cause of death for renowned actor Matthew Perry has been determined to be the acute effects of ketamine, according to the recently released autopsy report. The report also revealed that Perry had an alarmingly high amount of ketamine in his system at the time of his death.

Toxicology testing discovered ketamine levels of 3540 ng/ml in Perry's system, equivalent to the amount used for general anesthesia during surgical procedures. The report states that typical levels for general anesthesia procedures range from 1000-6000 ng/ml, underscoring the significant amount of the drug present in Perry's system.

Dr. Philip Wolfson, author of "The Ketamine Papers: Science, Therapy and Transformation," provided insight into Perry's situation, suggesting that the actor had intentionally consumed a large quantity of ketamine prior to entering the hot tub. "He really did himself in. He must have taken a large amount. You don't do this and go swimming or go into a pool of any sort," Wolfson shared.

Despite Perry's previous use of ketamine therapy, the last known treatment occurred a week before his untimely passing. Given the drug's half-life of only three to four hours, the ketamine found in his system could not have been from therapy sessions.

Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic used in operating rooms at higher doses. However, it can also be abused as a recreational drug with potentially dangerous consequences. Emergency room doctor Angelique Campen expressed her concerns regarding recreational ketamine use, highlighting its ability to induce a trance-like state that could have led to Perry's submersion and subsequent drowning in the hot tub.

While lower doses of ketamine are not FDA-approved, they are sometimes administered off-label to treat conditions such as depression, pain, and mental health or substance use disorders.

Perry's death at the age of 54 took place in October last year when authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a possible water rescue situation at his Pacific Palisades residence. Upon arrival, Perry was found face down and unresponsive in the heated section of his pool.

The autopsy report also noted the presence of prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications in Perry's home, although no loose pills or prescriptions were discovered in the pool area.

In addition to ketamine's acute effects, the documents obtained by The Blast identified drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder) as contributing factors in Perry's passing.

The manner of death has been ruled as an accident, highlighting the tragic consequences that can arise when the recreational use of substances like ketamine goes awry.