“I'm not great at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?”

This is what ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry’s character Chandler Bing was known for. He was known for being funny. However, he had his own struggles in his personal life and those struggles were acute depression. He was treating it with ketamine infusion therapy which is legal in the US and the UK.

What is Ketamine infusion therapy?

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used to treat depression, anxiety and pain under supervised and controlled medical settings. However, it does have its side effects, which can lead to distortion of sight, sound and time. It can also produce calming and relaxing effects.

Ketamine increases a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. If overdosed, it can leave users confused and agitated and can cause them to hurt themselves without even realising it. It can also lead to liver damage and bladder problems.

However, when used in moderation and under the supervision of medical doctors, it can treat depression where traditional antidepressants have failed.

Prof Rupert McShane, a University of Oxford psychiatrist who runs an NHS ketamine treatment clinic told BBC that ketamine “probably turns off the area of the brain that is involved in disappointment.”

Can Ketamine Infusion Therapy Kill Someone?

In simple terms, it cannot, be if the dosage is given in a controlled setting and as prescribed. Ketamine infusion therapy uses drugs in small doses than those used for anaesthesia. It acts faster than traditional anti-depressants, but the effects also wear off way quickly. Which is why it is important to monitor patients’ mental state for relapsing back into depression and discouraging them from overdosing on it.

There are ways of giving people ketamine. One of the ways is through “infusing”, which means to use an IV drip. However, injections, nasal sprays and capsules are also methods used to give people ketamine.

Since the dosage of ketamine used in the infusion treatment is small, it being the reason of actor Perry’s death was ruled out. The medical examiner also noted that Perry’s last ketamine infusion therapy session happened more than a week before his death, which means by the time he had died, it must have worn off.

So, What Happened To Perry?

Though Perry’s last session was more than a week before, his post-mortem showed that his blood contained a high concentration of ketamine. He had died of the “acute effects” of ketamine.

If it was not his session, then how did he get ketamine?

Prosecutors alleged that his assistant gave him at least 27 shots of ketamine in four days before his death, reported BBC.

Perry has been open about his personal struggles and this is what the doctors and dealers used against him. Martin Estrada, the US attorney for California’s Central District told the BBC that people took advantage of his condition. They charged him 165 times more than what vials of ketamine cost.

Names that have come up include Dr Salvador Plasencia, drug dealers “Ketamine Queen” aka Jasveen Sangha and Eric Fleming, and Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa.

Who Are These Names And What Did They Do?

Ketamine Queen or Sangha supplied drugs that led to Perry’s death. Her home was a “drug-selling emporium,” said Estrada. More than 80 vials of ketamine, and thousands of pills including methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax were allegedly found in her house known as the “Sangha Stash House.”

Sangha is known to deal with high-end celebs and was a “major source of supply for ketamine to others as well as Perry,” said Estrada.

Dr Plasencia called Perry a “moron” while charging him $2,000 for vials that cost only $12. He sold Perry 20 vials of ketamine between September and October 2023, costing $55,000.

He was the one who taught Iwamasa, who had no medical knowledge to inject the drug. This is after he knew that “Perry’s ketamine addiction was spiralling out of control,” as per what the investigators told the BBC.

Another dealer Fleming was told by Sangha to “delete all our messages.” While Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs unlawfully, he also allegedly messaged Sangha: “Please call...Got more info and want to bounce ideas off you. I’m 90% sure everyone is protected. I never dealt with [Perry] only his assistant. So the assistant was the enabler.”

The court documents also revealed that he asked Sangha on whether the ketamine stays in your system or “is it immediately flushed out.”

Dr Pepper, Bots, Cans

The people who allegedly exploited Perry used coded language for ketamine and called it “Dr Pepper”, “bots”, or “cans.”

Selling overpriced drugs, taking advantage of Perry’s mental condition and falsifying medical records to make the drugs given to him look legitimate by Dr Plasencia is what took Perry’s life.

Iwamasa is said to have administered more than 20 shots of ketamine and three on the day Perry died. Whereas ketamine is only administered by a physician. Authorities also found that weeks before Perry’s death, Dr Plasencia allegedly bought 10 vials of ketamine and intended to sell to Perry.

He also injected Perry with a large dose, two days later. This caused him to “freeze up” and spiked his blood pressure.

When I Die, I Want Helping Others To Be The First Thing That’s Mentioned

Perry had always been open about his drug addictions, struggles with alcohol and his depression. He said that his openness would help others who are also struggling and wanted to be remembered by his quote which also is on the homepage of the Mattew Perry Foundation that helps others struggling with the disease of addiction: “When I die, I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned.”

Five arrests have been made in the case so far.

The Chandipura virus (CHPV), a rare but potentially fatal brain infection, has claimed the lives of three young children in Gujarat and Rajasthan, raising concerns during the ongoing monsoon season when insect-borne diseases become more common.

A six-year-old boy from Rajasthan with a confirmed Chandipura virus infection died at the Civil Hospital in Himmatnagar, Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, officials said on July 9.

According to Resident Medical Officer Dr. Vipul Jani, seven children aged between 2 and 11 years with suspected CHPV infection were admitted to the hospital between June 26 and July 9.

The child with confirmed infection was identified as Rajkumar Damor (6), a resident of Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Two girls—a two-year-old from Rajasthan and a three-year-old from Sabarkantha, Gujarat—are currently undergoing treatment, while laboratory reports are awaited. Another three-year-old boy tested negative and has been discharged.

What Is Chandipura Virus?

Chandipura virus (CHPV) is an insect-borne virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family and the Vesiculovirus genus. It was first identified in 1965 in Chandipura village in Maharashtra.

The virus is transmitted primarily through phlebotomine sandflies, although mosquitoes and ticks may also play a role in transmission.

Also read: Leptospirosis In Monsoon: Expert Explains Why Early Detection & Prevention Is A Must

Most cases have been reported from central and western India, particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon months when sandfly populations increase.

While some infections remain mild, the virus can rapidly invade the brain, causing acute encephalitis (brain inflammation), seizures, coma and even death, especially in children.

"In some children, Chandipura virus can cause severe brain inflammation and become life-threatening within a short period," said Dr. Kanchankumar Bhagyawant, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune.

Symptoms Of Chandipura Virus Infection

Symptoms usually begin suddenly and may initially resemble other viral illnesses. The expert urged to watch out for:

• Sudden high fever
• Severe headache
• Vomiting
• Excessive sleepiness or reduced activity
• Irritability or behavioural changes
• Convulsions or seizures
• Loss of consciousness in severe cases

"Parents should never ignore a fever lasting more than three days if it is accompanied by repeated vomiting, seizures, confusion or excessive sleepiness. Seeking immediate medical care can be lifesaving," Dr. Bhagyawant said.

Why Are Children More At Risk?

Also read: As Cyclospora Cases Surge In The US, Expert Explains Why India's Monsoon Raises Risk Of The Parasitic Infection

According to Dr. Bhagyawant, children below 15 years, especially those living in rural and semi-rural areas, are the most vulnerable to Chandipura virus infection. Although adults can be infected, severe disease is far less common.

Children are at greater risk because of several factors:

• Immature immune system: Young children have fewer antibodies and are less able to fight new viral infections.
• Higher exposure: Outdoor play increases contact with sandflies, particularly during the monsoon.
• Limited prior immunity: Most children have not been previously exposed to the virus.
• Rapid disease progression: The virus can multiply quickly, overwhelming a child's immune system.
• Developing brain: Children's brains are more vulnerable to encephalitis and neurological damage.
• Delayed diagnosis: Early symptoms resemble common viral infections, delaying treatment.
• Limited healthcare access: Rural areas may have fewer diagnostic and treatment facilities.
• Poor vector control: Inadequate measures to control sandflies increase the risk of transmission.

How Can Chandipura Virus Infection Be Prevented?

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Chandipura virus. Prevention focuses on avoiding insect bites and reducing exposure to sandflies.

Dr. Bhagyawant recommended:

• Use mosquito or sandfly nets, especially for children at night.
• Apply age-appropriate insect repellents.
• Dress children in full-sleeved clothing and long pants.
• Keep homes and surroundings clean.
• Eliminate stagnant water and improve sanitation around homes and animal shelters.
• Install window screens where possible.
• Seek immediate medical attention if a child develops a high fever along with vomiting, seizures or altered consciousness.

Veteran radio and television broadcaster Paul Gambaccini has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The 77-year-old presenter, who has been a regular on the BBC since the 1970s, shared a statement revealing that he received the diagnosis in 2025.

"As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can't turn back the clock, you can't turn back the tide. Ain't that a shame. There's no denying it's a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on as normal,” he said.

Gambaccini added that he would "be as open as I can as things progress", and that he was grateful for the kindness and support he had already received.

"For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more. These are the days of our lives," he said.

The broadcaster said he would continue presenting The Paul Gambaccini Collection on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday, as well as his shows on Greatest Hits Radio.

The Alzheimer's Society said Gambaccini's experience "shows that there can be life after a dementia diagnosis", the BBC reported.

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and primarily affects adults aged 65 years and older. Around 1 million people are living with dementia in the UK.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain—amyloid plaques and tau tangles—which damage nerve cells responsible for memory and thinking.

Amyloid proteins accumulate into sticky plaques between brain cells, while tau proteins twist into thread-like tangles inside neurons. Together, these changes disrupt communication between brain cells and eventually lead to their death.

Over time, this progressive damage affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to carry out everyday activities. In advanced stages, people may lose the ability to communicate, care for themselves or respond to their surroundings.

Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease remains unclear, experts believe it results from a combination of genetic, biological and lifestyle factors. Physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet and social isolation may increase the risk of developing the condition.

Early symptoms often include forgetting recent conversations or events. As the disease progresses, memory loss becomes more severe and daily functioning becomes increasingly impaired.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. In its advanced stages, complications such as dehydration, poor nutrition and infections can become life-threatening.

Common Symptoms Of Alzheimer's Disease

People with Alzheimer's disease may experience one or more of the following:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in familiar places or repeatedly asking the same questions.
• Difficulty managing finances or paying bills.
• Trouble completing familiar tasks at home, at work or during leisure activities.
• Poor or declining judgment.
• Frequently misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
• Changes in mood, personality or behavior.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in India, while lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the latest GLOBOCAN estimates of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report highlights that India's cancer burden is shaped by region-specific risk factors, with breast, oral, cervical, lung and esophageal cancers together accounting for nearly half of all cancer cases and deaths in the country.

It also estimates that nearly one in 10 Indians is at risk of developing cancer before the age of 75, while around seven in every 100 people face the risk of dying from the disease before reaching that age.

Breast Cancer Tops New Diagnoses

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Female breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in India, accounting for 192,020 new cases in 2022.

The five most common cancers in India are:

• Breast cancer: 192,020 cases
• Lip and oral cavity cancer: 143,759 cases
• Cervical cancer: 127,526 cases
• Lung cancer: 81,748 cases
• Esophageal cancer: 70,637 cases

Among women, breast cancer accounts for more than one in four new cancer diagnoses, while cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer despite being largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening.

Among men, cancers of the lip and oral cavity remain the leading diagnosis, reflecting the continuing impact of tobacco use.

Lung Cancer Is the Deadliest

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Although breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer, lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer deaths in India, highlighting its poor survival rates and the importance of early diagnosis and tobacco control.

Lip and oral cavity cancer ranks as the second most common cancer by incidence and the third leading cause of cancer deaths, giving

India one of the world's highest oral cancer burdens.

India's Cancer Burden Continues to Rise

According to the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026:

• India recorded an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases in 2024.
• Around 900,000 cancer deaths occurred during the year.
• Annual new cancer cases are projected to rise to 2.8 million by 2050, driven by population growth, ageing and changing lifestyles.

WHO: India Needs Stronger Prevention and Early Detection

The report says India's cancer profile reflects unique regional risk factors, particularly the country's high burden of oral cancers.

"India's cancer burden reflects the influence of region-specific risk factors, particularly the high prevalence of oral cancers, highlighting the need for stronger prevention, early diagnosis and improved access to treatment," the report said.

The WHO says health systems must move beyond treating tumors alone and adopt a more people-centred approach to cancer care.

Nearly 40% of Cancer Cases Are Preventable

The report estimates that almost four in 10 cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors, including:

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• Overweight and obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections
• Helicobacter pylori infection.