“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.

Cancer, a rare occurrence? Unfortunately, not anymore. According to recent findings from an analysis published in The Lancet, cancer is one of the top 10 causes of death among Indian children. This is an alarming statistic, signalling an under-recognised public health problem. Data in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 noted that even as infectious diseases decline, noncommunicable diseases like cancer are emerging as a serious threat to child survival and well-being. In India, this epidemiological shift is particularly concerning in the context of childhood cancers. Despite being rare, they are highly treatable when detected in the early stages—yet most cases are diagnosed late.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), childhood cancers accounted for 3–5 per cent of cancer cases reported in India in 2022. The country sees an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 cases every year among children aged 0–14 years. This makes it one of the highest burdens globally. In 2023, 377,000 cases of childhood cancer were reported globally, along with 144,000 deaths, according to The Lancet research paper.

Read more: 3 Children In Every 4 Minutes Are Diagnosed With Cancer, That's What Makes Awareness Important Says Doctor

Hidden cancer burden in India

When it comes to childhood cancers in India, leukaemia, or blood cancers, are the most common, followed by lymphomas and tumours of the central nervous system. Collectively, these categories comprise most cases of childhood cancers in the country. The statistics vary across regions, with Delhi reporting the highest number of cases due to better diagnostic facilities. However, experts believe that the actual burden is likely to be much higher. Incomplete cancer registration and limited access to proper diagnostic facilities in underserved and rural areas are to blame for delayed diagnosis.

Why is childhood cancer detected late in India?

Experts say that cancer deaths in India can largely be attributed to delayed diagnosis. Early symptoms of cancer in children include fatigue, fever, unexplained weight loss, and swelling in certain body parts. These symptoms are often overlooked, leading to delays at multiple levels. According to the ICMR 2022 factsheet, a significant proportion of children reach hospitals only at advanced stages of the disease. By then, treatment becomes more complex, more expensive, and less likely to succeed.

Access to cancer care for children

Access to cancer care for children is uneven in India. Paediatric oncology services are largely limited to hospitals in tier-one cities, forcing families from rural areas and smaller towns to travel in order to access proper treatment. This imbalance results in delayed care, especially for economically vulnerable families. Financial limitations are another barrier in the process—even if treatment costs are subsidised, expenses such as travel, accommodation, and loss of income can be overwhelming.

Read more: 41 million children aged 5-19 living with high BMI in India: Study

Irregular survival patterns

Globally, survival rates for childhood cancers exceed 80 per cent in high-income countries. In India, outcomes are uneven. The ICMR 2022 factsheet noted that survival depends on the stage of diagnosis, type of cancer, and where the child is treated. Hospitals in India are reporting improving survival rates for certain forms of cancer, such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The ICMR factsheet also highlights the need for a dedicated approach to paediatric cancer care, including better infrastructure, trained doctors, and stronger referral systems.

Indian weddings are a global sensation for all the taam-jhaam—the outfits, the music, the madness, and the unmatched vibe. In an ever-evolving culture, several new trends become a part of the wedding buzz in India. At a time when weight-loss drugs are the talk of the town, it is no surprise that they, too, have joined the list of new must-haves for Indian brides. For many soon-to-be brides and grooms, the pressure to look a class apart is always high. Amid the madness of wedding preparations, brides and grooms often miss the gym—weight-loss drugs come to their rescue.

India's Mounjaro brides

Clinics in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai are introducing weight-loss treatments into their traditional pre-bridal and bridal packages. Bridal packages initially focused on hair care, skincare, hair styling, and grooming—but they have now expanded to include shots of Mounjaro, a popular weight-loss drug. Some wellness centres in the city have advertised that they offer customised programmes combining workout routines, nutrition, and medication to help clients achieve desired results.

Doctors have noticed a clear rise in such inquiries. Several specialists report that a significant portion of their patients seeking obesity treatments are engaged couples working within a fixed timeline. While medical professionals acknowledge this demand, many emphasise that such treatments should only be prescribed when medically appropriate, rather than purely for cosmetic reasons.

Read more: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype

The pressures of looking good at a wedding

Weddings in India are deeply rooted in tradition, elaborate, and often burdened by societal expectations around appearance. As a result, many resort to glycolic treatments, injections of Mounjaro, and sometimes even facial procedures for a bridal glow. However, weight-loss drugs serve a different purpose—they can boost a bride's confidence by helping her feel more comfortable in her own skin.

Others share similar experiences. Some individuals admitted that concerns about body image, often influenced by family expectations or societal standards, played a major role in their decision. In certain cases, weight became a factor in arranged marriage discussions, pushing individuals to seek faster solutions. However, most discontinued the injections shortly after their weddings.

Why are weight-loss drugs becoming so popular?

According to experts, the growing popularity of weight-loss drugs is linked to their increased availability. Globally, pharmaceutical companies have introduced their own versions of obesity treatments in India, and demand has risen drastically. At the same time, more affordable alternatives are being introduced by manufacturers to make these drugs accessible to a wider audience.

A word of caution

Despite the surge, experts warrant caution. Weight-loss drugs are intended to help clinically obese or significantly overweight individuals, as well as patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. These drugs are not meant to act as quick fixes for short-term aesthetic goals. Experts, therefore, stress the importance of using these drugs under expert guidance and supervision.

Misuse of weight-loss drugs

Doctors are also concerned about the misuse of weight-loss drugs—health authorities have started monitoring the sale and promotion of such medication, especially the cheaper versions on the market. Experts say that relying solely on these drugs instead of making essential lifestyle changes may not lead to sustainable results. For many, the appeal lies in convenience—maximum benefits with minimal effort. While these drugs may fit into a hectic routine, doctors continue to emphasise the need for a balanced approach to weight loss.

The UK National Health Service (NHS) is soon expected to roll out free weight-loss Wegovy jab to over a million people in England at risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The move is based on the recommendation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which said that overweight people with heart problems, or serious circulation problems in their legs, should have the weekly jab "as an extra layer of protection".

Developed by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is primarily an antidiabetic medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. People receiving the weight-loss drug Wegovy sustained weight loss for up to four years.

"We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke are living with real fear that it could happen again. The evidence from the clinical trial is compelling. It showed that people taking semaglutide alongside their existing heart medicines were significantly less likely to have another heart attack or stroke,” said Helen Knight, from NICE.

"Today's decision gives thousands of people in that situation an extra layer of protection, on top of the medicines they are already taking," she added.

Also read: Foundayo: US FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill

Wegovy and Heart Risk

A November 2023 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, elicited a randomized clinical trial of tens of thousands of people, in which Wegovy - alongside existing heart medicines - was linked to a 20% reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Importantly, benefits were seen early in the clinical trial, before significant weight loss occurred, suggesting the drug works directly on the heart and blood vessels, not just through weight loss, as per the NICE

The BBC reported that the UK faces a significant heart disease burden, and every year:

100,000 people get hospitalized due to heart attacks,

100,000 people experience a stroke

350,000 people live with peripheral arterial disease.

Sharon Hodgson, the health minister, said weight-loss drugs were a “gamechanger” and giving them to people at risk of heart attacks and strokes would be a “lifesaver”.

Also read: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype

Wegovy Is Top Weight-Loss Choice for US Teens

Only Wegovy has been approved by the US FDA for children aged 12 and older who are living with obesity. Since the approval in late 2022, the prescriptions have surged.

According to health data company Truveta, which reviewed medical records from 30 US health systems, prescriptions for Wegovy among teens jumped by 50 percent in 2024—rising from 9.9 per 100,000 adolescents in 2023 to 14.8 per 100,000 in 2024.

The first quarter of 2025 showed another increase, with the rate reaching 17.3 per 100,000.