“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.

A new scientific investigation has drawn attention to alarming levels of uranium in the breastmilk of nursing mothers across six districts in Bihar. The findings suggest possible health risks for infants who depend entirely on breastmilk in their first months.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study is the first to examine uranium contamination in breastmilk from the Gangetic belt of Bihar, a region already known for widespread exposure to arsenic, lead, mercury and other heavy metals.

Researchers collected breastmilk samples from 40 mothers aged 17 to 35 from Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar and Nalanda. Each participant gave informed consent, and the team documented breastfeeding habits, child health, and residential history. The work was carried out by scientists from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan & Research Centre (Patna), Lovely Professional University, NIPER-Hajipur and other collaborating institutions.

Breastfeeding Samples Show Uranium In Bihar

The most concerning outcome was that every single sample contained detectable uranium. As per NTDV, the authors noted that “100% of lactating mothers had their breastmilk highly contaminated with uranium.” The concentrations varied, reaching as high as 5.25 μg/L in some cases. Although there is no globally accepted safety limit for uranium in breastmilk, the presence of any radioactive heavy metal in an infant’s only food source raises immediate health worries.

District Wise Readings

Uranium concentrations were not uniform across districts. The data showed the highest average burden in Khagaria, followed by Samastipur, Begusarai, Katihar, Bhojpur and Nalanda. Katihar had the single highest recorded value at 5.25 μg/L, while Khagaria had the highest mean value of 4.035 μg/L. Nalanda showed the lowest average level at 2.354 μg/L. Spatial mapping in the study also indicated a distinct distribution pattern, suggesting local environmental and geological influences.

Can Breastmilk Contaminated with Uranium Affect Newborns?

To assess potential harm, the team estimated uranium intake by infants using Monte Carlo modelling with 10,000 simulations. The analysis suggested that about 70 percent of infants could face non-cancer health effects if exposure continues.

The study stressed that babies are far more vulnerable than adults because their organs are still developing, their body weight is low, and they eliminate toxins less efficiently. While the analysis did not show a cancer risk from the detected levels, the exposure was high enough for researchers to warn about possible kidney damage and other non-carcinogenic effects in infants.

Interestingly, as per NDTV, a senior scientist with the National Disaster Management Authority said the study does not signal a public health threat. According to him, the uranium levels detected in the Bihar samples fall well below the limit set by the World Health Organization.

Is Uranium In Breastmilk Worrisome?

Though uranium is known for its radioactive properties, its chemical toxicity poses a more immediate threat. Since infants absorb heavy metals more easily, uranium exposure in early life may cause long-term issues, including:

• Kidney damage and impaired kidney function

• Problems in neurological development, affecting behaviour and cognition

• Possible increased cancer risk later in life

• Interference with bone, immune and motor development

• The ability to cross the placental and blood-brain barriers, potentially harming brain growth

The study did not test water or food consumed by the participating mothers, but the authors referred to previous research that documented high uranium levels in 273 groundwater samples from Bihar.

Districts such as Supaul, Nalanda and Vaishali recorded extremely elevated levels, far above the WHO guideline of 30 μg/L for drinking water. Since groundwater is widely used for drinking and farming in Bihar, the contamination likely stems from natural geological deposits, excessive groundwater extraction, phosphate fertilisers, industrial waste and inadequately treated sewage. Earlier surveys show that uranium contamination is widespread, with at least 11 districts reporting unsafe concentrations in drinking water,

Should Mothers Stop Breastfeeding Their Newborns?

The researchers make it clear that mothers should not stop breastfeeding because of these findings. They emphasise that breastfeeding remains the healthiest and most beneficial source of nutrition for infants, and should only be discontinued if a doctor advises it. While the uranium levels observed are a cause for concern, the study notes that they are not a reason to halt breastfeeding on their own.

New findings suggest that a common supplement might play a role in lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have found that a naturally occurring amino acid may help stop the build-up of harmful plaque in the brain. Alzheimer’s remains the leading cause of dementia and often brings changes in memory, communication and behaviour.

Experts believe the condition begins when certain proteins collect in and around brain cells. One of these proteins, amyloid, can form thick deposits that interfere with how the brain functions. Recent work now indicates that a simple oral supplement may help limit amyloid levels.

A Supplement That May Help Protect The Brain

The study, published in Neurochemistry International, showed that arginine, a naturally present amino acid, could reduce the clumping of amyloid and lessen its damaging effects in animal models of Alzheimer’s.

What Is Arginine?

Arginine, sometimes listed as l-arginine, helps the body build proteins and is found in foods such as meat, fish, nuts, seeds and dairy. It is also available in supplement form. Researchers stressed that the doses used in their experiments were specific to the study and do not match the amounts sold in commercial supplements. Professor Yoshitaka Nagai, who led the research, said the results suggest that arginine has the ability to curb this build-up both in lab testing and in living organisms.

Professor Nagai explained that the discovery is especially encouraging because arginine already has a well-established safety record and is relatively affordable. This combination, he noted, makes it a promising candidate for future therapeutic use. Reports from Science Daily highlight that the animals given oral arginine developed fewer amyloid plaques and showed a drop in insoluble Aβ42 in the brain. These mice also performed better in behavioural assessments and showed reduced activity of inflammatory genes linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s.

How Arginine Affected Brain Changes In Mice

The research team believes that these results may help spark new ideas for preventing Alzheimer’s or slowing its progression. Professor Nagai said that the findings could be useful not only for Alzheimer’s but also for other disorders linked to abnormal protein folding. He added that because arginine is low-cost and already considered safe for general use, it could move into clinical testing more quickly than many experimental drugs. Even so, researchers cautioned that more preclinical work and human-based studies are needed before any firm conclusions can be made about recommended doses or long-term impact.

Signs of Alzheimer’s disease

According to the NHS, early Alzheimer’s often begins with noticeable memory problems. A person in the initial stages may show signs such as:

• Forgetting recent events or conversations

• Misplacing belongings

• Struggling to recall names of common places or objects

• Having difficulty finding the right words

• Repeating questions

• Showing weaker judgement or taking longer to make decisions

• Becoming less adaptable or more resistant to changes

Anyone who notices these changes in themselves or a loved one should consider seeking advice from a GP.

People who are dealing with a particular Covid symptom have been given a cautionary note by the NHS. The way you position yourself while resting or sleeping can actually aggravate how you feel. As cold weather settles over the UK, the chances of picking up seasonal infections such as colds, flu or COVID-19 begin to rise. These viruses thrive in lower temperatures and spread more easily when people spend more time indoors.

For most individuals, Covid clears up within a few days or a couple of weeks without needing specialised care. Because of this, the NHS advises plenty of rest to support recovery. It also recommends staying home and limiting contact with others if you have symptoms and do not feel well enough to go about your usual activities. The health service further offers specific guidance for anyone struggling with a cough.

NHS Issued A Warning For Certain Covid Symptoms

Cough remains one of the most common signs of Covid, especially when it becomes “continuous.” The NHS describes this as coughing repeatedly for more than an hour, or having three or more coughing spells in a single day.

To help ease the discomfort, the NHS advises: “Do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead.”

This suggestion is echoed by Dr Elizabeth Rainbolt. In an interview with the Cleveland Clinic, she noted that lying flat on your back can worsen postnasal drip.

Why Sleeping Position Matters When You Have a Cough

For people dealing with a dry cough, resting on your side rather than on your back may help limit irritation. Dr Rainbolt added: “Raising your head is usually the best position for sleep. You can do this by adding an extra pillow or slightly lifting the head of your bed. This keeps drainage from settling at the back of your throat.”

Anyone coping with a persistent cough should speak with a pharmacist to explore available remedies.

Symptoms

Along with coughing, the NHS lists several other signs of Covid, including:

• A high temperature or shivers (chills) – a high temperature means your chest or back feels hot to the touch (you do not need to check it with a thermometer)
• A change or loss in your sense of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Aches in the body
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose
• Poor appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting

Covid Recovery Tips From Health Experts

• Make sure you get enough rest to support your body’s recovery.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; aim for urine that is light yellow or clear.
• Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease discomfort if needed.
• A teaspoon of honey may soothe a cough, but never give honey to infants under 12 months.
• For breathlessness, lower the room temperature or open a window to improve airflow.
• Practice slow, controlled breathing: inhale through your nose and exhale gently through pursed lips, like blowing out a candle.
• Sitting upright in a chair can help ease shortness of breath.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed to prevent tension that can worsen breathing.
• Lean forward slightly, supporting yourself with your hands on your knees or a stable surface, to make breathing easier.
• Avoid using fans to cool your room, as they may disperse viral particles.
• Stay calm if you feel breathless, as anxiety can intensify the sensation.