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

It claimed the life of "Friends" star Matthew Perry, and now is being blamed in a hot air balloon crash that killed four. So what it ketamine? And why is it so dangerous?

Here's what to know.

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

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It distorts the perception of sight and sound, making the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is called a “dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen” because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment. The drug is approved as a short-acting anesthetic for use in humans and animals, and as a nasal spray for the treatment of depression.

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

Ketamine found in the system of pilot Cornelius van der Walt after Arizona fatal hot air balloon crash

The pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in Arizona and left four dead had elevated levels of ketamine in his system, the Arizona Republic is reporting.

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

The balloon had been carrying 13 people at takeoff. Eight of them were skydivers who had left the craft before issues arose.

'Acute effects of ketamine' linked to 'Friends' star Matthew Perry's death

Matthew Perry, who was found dead in October 2023, died due to "the acute effects of ketamine," USA Today reported in December.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report stated that the "Friends" actor's death in October was an accident, with the cause being "the acute effects of ketamine." Contributing factors were drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, an opioid-like drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction as well as acute and chronic pain.

Perry was found unresponsive and face-down in the "heated end" of his pool on Oct. 28, according to his autopsy. The Los Angeles Fire Department said that firefighters responded to Perry's Pacific Palisades home at 4:07 p.m. that day and found "an adult male unconscious in a stand-alone jacuzzi."

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