Introduction
Matthew Perry, the beloved actor and advocate, was not just a star in our favorite sitcom but also someone we all know – an adult struggling with addiction. His untimely death has cast a spotlight on the duality of ketamine therapy—its promise of hope and the threat of it being dashed by greed. This post explores the complexity of what can happen when a repurposed, unpatented medicine developed in 1962 offers the most significant treatment breakthrough since the founding of Prozac in 1987.
The Promise of Ketamine Therapy
The Hope and True Healing of Ketamine
Ketamine, originally an anesthetic developed in 1962 and in 1985 listed as an essential medication by the World Health Organization because of its rapid onset, short duration of effects, and safety, has shown promise in treating severe depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Fast-acting and effective, it has been heralded as a revolutionary treatment, offering new hope to those with treatment-resistant depression who had exhausted other options. Its regular use in emergency rooms began after research found a single infusion significantly reduced suicidality (Krystal, 2007).
Supporting Evidence
- Research Studies: By 2007, more than 7,000 studies had already documented Ketamine’s high effectiveness in various clinical applications. American Journal of Psychiatry highlighted that Ketamine could provide rapid relief from depression symptoms.
- Expert Opinions: Dr. Joshua Gordon, the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, stated, “Ketamine represents a paradigm shift in our approach to treating mental health disorders. Its ability to provide rapid relief for individuals in acute distress is a profound advancement…”
- Patient Testimonials: Hundreds of patients receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at our clinic have shared remarkable stories. Jean, a 38-year-old female with severe depression and PTSD, found relief after ten sessions. “The areas of “life that it’s assisted with include how to deal with impulse control, depression, addiction, decision-making, and reactivity. For years, I struggled with a multitude of difficult symptoms, and have been in therapy since I was a teen… the last few months I feel have saved my life.”
The Paradox of Healing and Greed
Despite the promising benefits of ketamine therapy, a troubling paradox emerges—vulnerable individuals may be exploited and harmed by opportunistic providers. Beyond the greed in the Perry case, discussed below, a surge of online prescribers, often outside traditional medical frameworks, has raised concerns regarding the quality of care and ethical practices. Do online providers prioritize profit over patient welfare, promoting aggressive marketing strategies that can mislead those seeking genuine help? This possible exploitation can result in inadequate treatment plans and potential harm to patients who are merely seeking relief from profound suffering.
Consequences of Exploitationd
The rise of such virtual prescribing companies is particularly concerning in light of Matthew Perry’s struggle. As other individuals with mental illness seek assistance, it’s essential to strike a balance between innovation in treatment and the need for responsible, ethical care. Unchecked greed can not only tarnish the potential of ketamine therapy, but it could also exacerbate the issues it seeks to alleviate, leading to further tragedies in a landscape already fraught with pain.
Matthew Perry’s Story: A Journey Fueled by Greed
Recap of Perry’s Journey
Matthew Perry was candid about his struggles with addiction and mental health. His openness was refreshing to many suffering from addiction. Perry’s treatment included many outpatient programs and residential facilities. Failed treatment ultimately led to his trying ketamine therapy, which, unfortunately, was not the correct answer for someone in active addiction. This is precisely where medical professionals should have checked their financial interests at the door. Knowing Perry’s history and seeing him in person, they failed to do so. This begs the question, how will someone’s addiction, viewed through an online portal for 15 minutes, not be missed?
Supporting Evidence
- Official Statements: While specific details continue to emerge, a press release by the US Attorney of the central district of CA highlighted the realities of this case and stated, “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials.”
The Role of Ketamine
Perry was receiving ketaine therapy for depression for some time from his regular doctor. Struggling with poly-substance addiction, he wanted more, and his doctor, rightfully, denied it. Enter Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who met with Perry and his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and agreed to help. Plasencia contacted his friend, Dr. Mark Chavez, who previously operated a ketamine clinic, to obtain Ketamine to sell to Perry. According to an AP article written by Andrew Dalton, Shoot me up with a big one: A timeline of the last days of Matthew Perry, Plasencia texted Chavez, stating, “I wonder how my this moron will pay?” Chavez provided Plasencia with four unmarked vials, which Plasencia sold to Iwamasa for $4500. After the transaction at Perry’s home, Plasencia injected two shots into Perry and showed Iwamasa how to do the same. From September to October 2023, outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, Plasencia provided Iwamasa ketamine on at least seven occasions. Iwamasa was also buying illegal Ketamine from a drug dealer. Iwamasa was injecting Perry up to 8 times per day. In the five days leading up to his death, Iwamasa admitted to injecting Perry at least 27 times. On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa injected Perry thrice, the last time while Perry sat in his hot tub. Upon his return from running errands, Iwamasa found Perry face down in the water.
Expert Quote
- US Attorney, Central District of CA: “The misuse of medical treatments for financial gain not only harms the patients but also undermines the trust in our healthcare system.”
Implications for the Community
We’ve seen this story before, right? Wrong. We cannot compare Ketamine to Oxycodone, Opioids, or Fentanyl, as these drugs do not heal health conditions; they mask the pain of health conditions. Ketamine is not a daily medication, yet it is proving itself curative. In our clinic and hundreds like ours, many patients with depression, anxiety, and PTSD report complete l remission of symptoms when Ketamine is paired with psychotherapy. In other words, we are not seeing Ketamine as a Band-Aid. Symptoms are not being numbed, as often experienced with anti-depressants, only to return after stopping the anti-depressant. Patients’ sessions end because their symptoms end, typically after 6-10 sessions. They do not return because, for the first time in their lives, they feel symptom-free, and this freedom persists.
Perry’s tragedy and the potential of greedy entrants into this field are stark reminders of how something so good can go wrong. Unlike every other area in healthcare, it has been 36 years since the last medication breakthrough for mental health, the release of Prozac in 1988. The greed outlined in this post scares me because we cannot afford to squander this healing opportunity. Ethical practitioners do not deserve to be weighed down with questions about trust, accountability, and the dangers of greed within an already left-behind healthcare system.
The Ripple Effect
Reflection on the Community
The mental health and addiction recovery community is reeling from the Perry indictments. There is a shared sense of fear, anger, and continued determination to administer novel and effective treatments responsibly and ethically. While my intention is not to rain on anyone’s lucrative parade nor diminish those who have been helped, I only ask, at what cost? Beyond the thousands of dollars desperate people pay to virtual providers with little to no oversight, what will be the price we pay tomorrow?
Call to Action
Before the baby gets thrown out with the bathwater, let’s set safe parameters. Is the FDA providing oversight of national online ketamine purveyors? Instead of working with trained mental healthcare professionals and medical doctors, too many people struggling with addictions can view these sources as easy access because individual therapy sessions or regular meetings are not required; one tech company, in particular, has patients report their symptoms through a phone app, and another company has started shipping ketamine shots.
Conclusion
Recap
Ketamine therapy holds immense potential for treating mental health conditions. However, the duality of its promise and the harm caused by greed must not be ignored.
Closing Thoughts
Let’s honor Mattew Perry’s legacy by standing for responsible ketamine therapy and supporting each other in our mental health journey. Let us ensure hope and healing prevail over greed and harm.
In this blog post, we’ve discussed the complex relationship between ketamine therapy, mental health, addiction recovery, and greed. By sharing personal stories, expert opinions, and research studies, we’ve highlighted the promise of and threats to ketamine therapy. Join us in advocating for ethical practices and supporting those in need.