What is ketamine? Drug that killed Matthew Perry blamed for fatal hot air balloon crash

It cost Friends star Matthew Perry his life and is now blamed for a hot air balloon crash that killed four people. What is ketamine? And why is it so dangerous?

Here's what you should know:

What is ketamine? What are the approved uses and how is it abused?

Ketamine is an anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects, according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency. It distorts the perception of sight and sound, making the user feel disconnected and out of control. It is called a “dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen” because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and their surroundings. The drug is approved as a short-acting anesthetic for humans and animals, and as a nasal spray to treat depression.

According to the DEA, ketamine can induce a state of calm and relaxation, immobility, pain relief, and amnesia while under the influence of the drug. It is abused for dissociative sensations and hallucinogenic effects and has been used to facilitate sexual assault. Side effects can include agitation, depression, cognitive difficulties, and loss of consciousness. An overdose of ketamine results in unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing.

Ketamine found in pilot Cornelius van der Walt's body after fatal hot air balloon crash in Arizona

The pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in Arizona, killing four people, had elevated levels of ketamine in his body, the Arizona Republic reported.

Cornelius van der Walt, 37, was piloting the plane when it crashed in January. He and three others — Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana; and Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California — died in the crash. Another passenger was seriously injured.

There were 13 people in the balloon at launch. Eight of them were parachutists, but they left the vehicle before any problems arose.

“Acute effects of ketamine” linked to death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry, who was found dead in October 2023, died from “the acute effects of ketamine,” USA Today reported in December.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s report states that the “Friends” actor''s death in October was an accident caused by “the acute effects of ketamine.” Contributing factors included drowning, coronary heart disease and the effects of buprenorphine, an opioid-like drug used to treat opioid addiction and acute and chronic pain.

Perry was found unconscious and facedown in the “heated portion” of his pool on Oct. 28, according to his autopsy. The Los Angeles Fire Department said firefighters were called to Perry's Pacific Palisades home at 4:07 p.m. that day and found “an adult male unconscious in a freestanding hot tub.”

This article originally appeared in the Record-Courier: What is ketamine? Drug responsible for fatal hot air balloon crash in Arizona