KCLA to host Q&A to dispel ketamine myths following Friends actor Matthew Perry's death
Mental health treatment center, the Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA) said the storm surrounding the recently announced cause of death for the Friends actor and his reported use of ketamine at the time of his death has prompted its event taking place Friday (January 5) at 1pm PST.
Hosted by KCLA co-founders Dr Steven Mandel and Sam Mandel, the webinar will distinguish between the therapeutic uses for mental health and illicit uses of the FDA-approved medication. The two experts will also clarify details reported about Matthew Perry's death and ketamine.
However, the clinic wishes to specify it is speaking about Perry with no insider knowledge of his ketamine treatments or his personal life.
Matthew Perry's mental health struggles
“First and foremost, our reaction to the initial news of Perry's passing was sadness. He shared publicly regarding his mental health struggles, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” said CEO Sam Mandel.
“Regarding the news of the toxicology report, we find it very frustrating and misleading that the spin doctors and media bias against ketamine have twisted this sad loss into another opportunity for ketamine bashing.
“Not only did Mr. Perry self-administer a sufficient dose to produce general anesthesia, more than ten times the amount given for depression, but he did so in combination with buprenorphine (an opioid) and a benzodiazepine (a sedative) while alone in a hot tub, and lost consciousness and drowned.”
Ketamine infusion therapy
Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles has pioneered an innovative mental health treatment known as Ketamine Infusion Therapy since 2014, and the Mandels say they are globally recognized as leading experts in the field.
“When used responsibly as a therapeutic agent, ketamine is among the safest, most effective, fastest-acting mental health treatments available today," said Steven, a board-certified anesthesiologist.
“This is not anecdotal. More than 200 clinical studies on ketamine for depression have been completed at leading scientific institutions, proving the safety and efficacy of ketamine for mental health. Dozens of them are peer reviewed. Ketamine has also been proven as more effective than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and quetiapine in head-to-head studies.”
Hospital-grade monitoring
KCLA provides hospital-grade monitoring of electrogram (ECG), blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate during ketamine infusion treatments. The company's clinical staff are all trained in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and moderate sedation by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). KCLA is accredited by Quad A, the gold standard in outpatient facility certification.
Every KCLA patient receives treatment in a private room where they are closely monitored under direct observation for safety and comfort by KCLA's care team of an anesthesiologist, psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP), and registered nurses (RN).
“The breakthrough treatments we provide represent a significant step forward in the field of psychedelic medicine and the broader field of mental health care.
A paradigm shift in mental health care
“Our mission is not only to provide meaningful, lasting relief to our patients but to create a paradigm shift in mental health care throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Ketamine Infusion Therapy is paving the way for other innovative modalities as the best option available today for most patients suffering from depression, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal thinking,” said Sam Mandel.
It is KCLA's hope that the webinar and Q&A session will help educate and dispel fears and myths surrounding ketamine therapy.
“Two world-renowned experts will answer any and all of your questions about ketamine therapy. Nothing is off-limits,” Dr Steven Mandel added.
