“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.

American Olympic bronze medallist Jenny Simpson has announced her diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic ‌Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) -- a rare inherited heart condition that is forcing her to give up her career as it makes running dangerous.

The 39-year-old, former 1500 meters world champion, was diagnosed after collapsing in June ⁠at a community track event hosted by Sir Walter Running and required CPR.

What Happened To Jenny Simpson?

After receiving lifesaving care at the track event, Simpson was transferred to Duke University Hospital for more advanced heart failure support.

Her heart was not pumping strongly enough, causing fluid to build up in her lungs. She described the experience as beginning to “drown.”

“My body was dying, but my spirit wouldn’t give up,” her post read. “I fought for my life.”

Within days, however, her heart and lungs were strong enough to function on their own.

Simpson Forced To End Her Career

Simpson said her diagnosis means “it would be dangerous for me to return to running.” She retired from elite racing in 2024 and described the diagnosis as the end of that chapter of her life.

"I was diagnosed with a rare inherited heart condition, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)... My future is an incredible gift. It is hopeful, and it will continue to have a ‌great ⁠purpose. But my diagnosis also means it would be dangerous for me to return to running," Simpson said in a post on Instagram.

“That chapter has ended,” the post read. “Thankfully, my story hasn’t.”

Why Can ARVC Be Dangerous?

Simpson was diagnosed with ARVC, a rare inherited condition in which scar tissue in the heart can disrupt its electrical system and trigger dangerous heart rhythms.

The condition can weaken the heart muscle and affect its ability to pump blood effectively. It can affect one or both ventricles; when it mainly affects the right ventricle, it is called ARVC. In Simpson’s case, the abnormal heart rhythms ultimately caused her heart to stop.

“As devastating as that diagnosis sounds, I truly feel profoundly fortunate. CPR, AED shocks, exceptional medical care, and a healthy body and fighting spirit that have spent a lifetime adapting to hard things all came together to give me another chance at life.”

Simpson is the only US woman to win a world 1500m title, which she achieved in 2011, and one of two US women to win an Olympic 1500m medal, taking bronze in 2016.

From 2007 through 2019, she finished among the top three in the 1500m, 5000m or 3000m steeplechase at all 13 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.

What Is ARVC?

In ARVC, heart muscle cells do not stick together properly, causing scar tissue and weakening the heart muscle. This can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.

The condition can affect one or both ventricles. When it primarily affects the right ventricle, it is called ARVC.

ARVC: Symptoms

• Heart palpitations
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Swelling in the ankles, legs or abdomen
• Chest pain or discomfort

ARVC: Diagnosis

Doctors may use several tests to assess the heart, including:

• Cardiac MRI
• ECG
• Exercise test
• Echocardiogram

ARVC: Treatment

There is no cure for ARVC, but treatment can help manage abnormal heart rhythms and reduce complications. Options may include:

• Pacemaker
• ICD
• Cardioversion
• Catheter ablation.

Anchovies are tiny fish packed with major health benefits, including high amounts of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), lean protein, selenium, niacin, iron and calcium. However, a new study by Andhra University researchers detected microplastics in the edible muscle tissue of anchovies, which form a significant part of the local seafood chain.

The finding, published in the International Journal of Environmental Sciences, raises concerns about potential exposure to microplastics and their possible impact on cognitive function.

While the detection of microplastics in muscle tissue suggests the particles may move beyond the digestive system and potentially expose humans through contaminated seafood, researchers led by Prof C Manjulatha from the Department of Zoology and Gondu Chandrika from the Department of Environmental Sciences stressed the need for further assessment.

Where Were Microplastics Found?

• Microplastic particles were found in the gastrointestinal tracts, gills and muscle tissue of fish collected from Visakhapatnam’s Vizag harbor.
• The gastrointestinal tract had the highest concentration, followed by the gills and muscle tissue, according to Times of India.
• Plastic fibers accounted for nearly 80% of the detected particles, followed by fragments and foam.
• Most particles measured between 0.5 mm and 4.5 mm.
• The researchers identified particles in different colors, with red and blue among the prominent ones.
• FTIR spectroscopy identified polymers including polyamide, PET, polyester, polyethylene, polyacrylate and polypropylene.

Polyamide and PET were among the dominant polymers, pointing to multiple possible sources of contamination, such as synthetic fibers, plastic waste and fishing-related materials.

“These findings emphasize the need for proper disposal and treatment of plastic waste,” the researchers said.

What Does This Mean For Brain Health?

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic, ranging from one nanometer to five millimeters — a fraction of the width of a human hair to about the size of a grain of rice. These have now been detected in human blood, placenta, liver, kidneys and the brain. The study also prompted questions about whether consuming microplastics could have implications for brain health.

In a post on X, Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained that although the gastrointestinal tract had the highest load, muscle contamination is what reaches your plate.

“Microplastics tend to accumulate in fat-rich tissue like the brain's myelin sheath, the insulation around neurons. Animal studies show microplastic exposure can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation that disrupt neurotransmission and impair cognition. Human data is still emerging, but the biological plausibility is real,” Dr Sudhir said.

He stressed that it “is a concerning signal, not yet a confirmed verdict”.

Can Microplastics End Up On Our Plates?

“Plastic pollution entering the sea fragments into particles small enough for marine life to absorb; fish take it up through feeding, we take it up by eating the fish. The Vizag study flags exactly this: sewage discharge, urban runoff, and fishing waste feeding this cycle,” the expert said.

How To Stay Safe

The expert advised people to:

• Vary protein sources.
• Don't rely on one fish species or source daily.
• Reduce synthetic fibre shedding and use a laundry filter bag.
• Avoid heating food in plastic containers.
• Support better waste treatment, as it is fundamentally a pollution problem, not just a diet one.

The number of measles cases in Sweden linked to the Urkult Festival has climbed to 21, according to the latest data from the country’s Public Health Agency.

So far, all known cases have been directly linked to the festival, which took place from July 30 to August 2 in Näsåker, in Sollefteå municipality. The majority of those infected are children under 18 years of age, the report said.

Acting State Epidemiologist Erik Sturegård called the rapidly growing number of cases “very unusual” in Sweden, Sweden Herald reported. “It is a disease that can cause very serious illness, even in otherwise healthy children,” Sturegård said.

Why Sweden May Not Be At Risk Of A Major Outbreak

Also read: US Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Decline, Exemptions Rise as Measles Cases Hit 35-Year High

Sweden’s childhood vaccination program includes the measles vaccine and has 95 percent coverage.

Sturegård said the high vaccination rate means Sweden may not currently be at risk of a major outbreak in the wider population.

However, unvaccinated people, as well as those with underlying conditions that may prevent the vaccine from providing adequate protection, remain at risk of serious illness.

Sturegård noted that most of those infected had not been vaccinated against measles.

“Even though we have 95 percent vaccination coverage in the childhood vaccination program, we have small pockets of people who, for various reasons, have not been reached by the vaccination, or who have chosen not to vaccinate themselves. Then you get a local minor outbreak very easily when measles is so extremely contagious,” Sturegård said.

Regions Reporting Measles Cases

The cases have been reported from the following regions:

• Jämtland Härjedalen
• Skåne
• Stockholm
• Västerbotten
• Gotland
• Värmland
• Västernorrland

Sweden Steps Up Contact Tracing

Read More: US Measles Cases Soars; RFK Jr Takes U-Turn, Urges Families to Vaccinate Kids

Measles is highly contagious, making contact tracing time-critical. The Public Health Agency, which has overall responsibility for infectious disease control in Sweden, is in daily contact with the affected regions.

“We have daily meetings with the relevant infection control departments to keep a full overview of what is happening and be able to provide the support needed,” Sturegård said.

Measles Symptoms

Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.

The illness typically causes high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a characteristic rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward across the body.

Other symptoms can include sneezing and small white spots inside the mouth. Measles can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

Measles Cases Reported Across Europe

READ: Why Are 1.7 Million People Still Vulnerable To Measles Despite Australia’s Elimination Status?

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s latest July 2026 report, nine European countries reported 188 measles cases in June. The highest number of cases was reported by:

• Bulgaria: 102
• Italy: 41
• Belgium: 14
• Spain: 13

In the 12 months through June 30, 2026, 30 EU/EEA Member States reported a total of 2,472 measles cases.

Of these, 717 cases (29.0%) were among children under five years of age, while 1,261 (51.0%) were among people aged 15 years and older.

The highest notification rates were recorded among infants under one year of age, at 62.9 cases per million, followed by children aged 1–4 years, at 30.8 cases per million.

Among cases with known age and vaccination status, 1,602 (74.0%) were unvaccinated, 323 (14.9%) had received one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, and 198 (9.1%) had received two or more doses. Another 41 cases (1.9%) had an unknown number of vaccine doses.