The death of actor Matthew Perry has highlighted ketamine, a drug used for surgical anesthesia and pain management. An autopsy determined that Perry, who starred in “Friends,” died from ketamine illegally administered at his home, according to the New York Times. Before his death, Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and substance abuse. Five people, including two doctors, were recently charged in connection with Perry’s death.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ketamine as a surgical anesthesia in 1970, not as a medication to help overcome psychiatric issues and addictions. However, the drug can be legally administered to treat the latter health challenges under the care of trained medical professionals like Dr. Erin Boyd.
Dr. Boyd is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and founder of Lumina Mind Health, a Tallahassee-based clinic that utilizes ketamine and psychiatry to help patients who are struggling with treatment-resistant mood disorders and substance abuse, including cannabis use disorder (CUD).
The mainstreaming of marijuana use has raised concerns about CUD. The Centers for Disease Control warns that CUD can lead to serious health and social problems, including memory loss, lethargy, excessive cannabis use, withdrawal symptoms, and neglect of obligations.
“Ketamine treatments could help break such a dependency and other substance use disorders,” says Dr. Boyd.
Her clinic administers ketamine intravenously (IV). The infusion takes 40 minutes, during which patients feel a calm and euphoric feeling but also a dissociative state. Dr. Boyd says ketamine therapy “increases brain communication nerve growth,” potentially leading to changes in thoughts of addiction. After an infusion, patients rest while the effects wear off, followed by an hour consultation with a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner.
A ketamine IV treatment regimen typically includes a minimum of six infusions over two to three weeks, with possible “booster” infusions later, Dr. Boyd explained. She also said many health insurers do not cover ketamine therapy.
Dr. Boyd recommends visiting the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners’ website, www.askp.org , to find qualified providers with proper equipment and experienced staff.
Visit bit.ly/MMERIAugust2024 to watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring Dr. Erin Boyd discussing “Ketamine Therapy […]
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