Episode 177: Top 5 ‘Friends’ Episodes / Ketamine

Doctor Vs Comedian

Today, the guys discuss their top 5 episodes of the classic sitcom ‘Friends’. But they switch things up by doing the medical topic first by discussing Ketamine and its role in Matthew Perry’s death (3:53). Ali starts out by asking Asif about how exactly ketamine was involved in Matthew Perry’s drowning death. Asif then goes over the history of ketamine, how it works and how it is mainly used as anesthesia. Ali then asks him about how it has been increasingly used in depression and Asif goes over the scientific evidence for this (after a brief digression about electroconvulsive therapy). They then discuss the abuse potential of ketamine and the side effects. They then discuss a New York Times article from last discussing ketamine abuse, telemedicine and compounding pharmacies. They then wrap up the section by discussing the individuals arrested for providing the ketamine implicated in Matthew Perry’s death. Then in the second, more lighthearted half, the guys each list their top 5 ‘Friends’ episodes (31:43).

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Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

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Show Notes:

• Ketamine: https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/ketamine
• Matthew Perry’s Death Shines a Harsh Light on Ketamine Treatment: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/19/arts/television/matthew-perry-ketamine-treatment.html
• Matthew Perry’s Assistant and Doctors Charged With Getting Him Ketamine: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/arts/television/matthew-perry-charges-ketamine.html
• A Fraught New Frontier in Telehealth: Ketamine: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/us/ketamine-telemedicine.html
• Ketamine and other glutamate receptor modulators for depression in adults with unipolar major depressive disorder: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8434915/
• FDA alerts health care professionals of potential risks associated with compounded ketamine nasal spray: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/fda-alerts-health-care-professionals-potential-risks-associated-compounded-ketamine-nasal-spray
• The One With.... Every Friends episode ranked worst to best: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/friends-episodes-ranked-best-worst-cast-b2469469.html
• I Have Ranked The Top 50 "Friends" Episodes: https://www.buzzfeed.com/hopelasater/best-friends-episodes-ranked