PCP
Also known As:
Angel Dust, Hog, Ozone, Rocket Fuel, Sherms/Shermans, Wack, Crystal and Embalming Fluid.
What is it?
Phencyclidine, more commonly referred to as PCP, is a synthetic drug that was originally developed as an intravenous anesthetic medication in the 1950s. The medical use of this drug was discontinued when a high number of patients started showing signs of agitation, delusion and irritation while recovering from anesthesia. Following this discontinuation on human patients, PCP was then limited to anesthetizing and tranquilizing large animals. Today, it’s sold as an illicit drug. (Government of Canada, 2018)
PCP is considered both a hallucinogen and a sedative/tranquilizer. PCP is classified as an arylcycloalkylamine, a type of hallucinogen that is known for its dissociative properties. Ketamine is another example of drug that would fall within this category (CAMH, 2011).
How does it work?
When PCP is smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested, it acts on the brain to produce mind-altering effects. PCP is a noncompetitive NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist and glutamate receptor antagonist, which also interacts with other receptor sites, and may have effects on dopamine, opioid, and nicotinic receptors (Anderson, 2018). PCP acts on many parts of the central nervous system, and as such, is poorly understood.
What does it look like?
In its pure form, PCP is a white crystalline powder that has a bitter taste. Sometimes PCP powder can be pale, yellowish, tan, or brown. It can be mixed with dyes and can be sold in a variety of forms, such as liquid, tablets, capsules, and coloured powders (Government of Canada, 2018).
PCP is most often consumed via liquid form by being added to another drug, such as a cigarette, joint, or other leafy materials or herbs (known as embalming or “getting wet”) (Erowid, 2019).
Is there a safe dose?
Under prohibition, there is no safe dose of PCP. While PCP can be very dangerous on its own, the risk increases in the illicit market, where drugs are of unknown potency and quality and are usually cut and contaminated with other potentially harmful substances.
The precise dosage can vary greatly, and the neurotoxic effects of PCP provide a limited range for an optimal/safe dose. A small/light dose is typically 3-5mg and a “normal” dose would be considered anywhere from 5-10mg. A dose of 20mg or more can cause seizures, coma, and death (Journey & Bentley, 2019).
General effects tend to come on quickly depending on the route of administration. PCP usually takes 2-20 minutes on the come-up, gradually peaks after 1-2 hours, plateaus for 2 hours, then comes down over 24 hours. Once near baseline, residual effects can be felt for 24 hours afterward, lending to an “afterglow” or hangover (DanceSafe, 2019).
Effects
PCP causes a variety of desirable and undesirable mental and physical effects.
Mental Effects include:
Dissociation from the user’s own body and environment: Feeling detached, distant, and estranged from surroundings.
Feelings of superior strength and invincibility/invulnerability
Hallucinations (auditory and visual)
Feeling ‘high’, sense of wellbeing, relaxation, and heightened sensory experiences
Feeling energetic, euphoric, talkative, giggly, and lively
Feeling anxious, fearful and/or tense
Paranoia, feelings of impending doom, and flashbacks
Feeling sleepy or hazy
Difficulty speaking
Physical effects include:
Red eyes and flushed skin
Dry mouth and throat
Irritated respiratory system (when smoking)
Increase in appetite
Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
Elevated heart rate
Decrease in blood pressure
Drowsiness or restlessness
Numbness in extremities
Inability to feel pain
High doses of PCP can lead to seizures, coma, damage to the skeletal muscles, and death.
Side effects and cautions
PCP has been known to have many different side effects that have been highly publicized in the media. These include:
High body temperature: PCP can cause dramatic rises in body temperature, which can result in the user to take off all of their clothes in response to this.
Dangerous behaviour: The drug can cause the user to experience a toxic psychosis, resulting in aggressive or hostile behaviour, paranoia, delusional thinking and auditory hallucinations. The aggressive and hostile behaviour can result in violent outbursts by the user, towards themselves or others.
Injury: People high on PCP may not be able to feel pain and so can be at risk for self-injury
Drug Interactions
Ingesting PCP with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol, tranquilizers, or opiates, can lead to coma.
Long-Term Effects
People who use PCP may experience ongoing flashbacks, hallucinations, and toxic psychosis—which may appear similar to schizophrenia. Long-term effects can last up to a year and include (Medical News Today, 2017):
Stuttering and difficulty speaking
Problems with reasoning and memory
Anxiety and depression
Suicidal thoughts
Social isolation and withdrawal
Flashbacks
Addiction
Psychological dependence on PCP can develop with regular use and if a person typically uses large doses. In these instances, addiction, mental health, and social stigma can make it hard to function socially and financially, leading to further complications.
Therapeutic uses?
There are no known therapeutic uses for PCP. While PCP was initially synthesized as an anesthetic and tranquilizer for humans and animals, its use was discontinued when studies revealed that PCP caused severe delusions, anxiety, and agitation.
Harm Reduction Tips
to reduce the possible harms of PCP, the following is suggested:
Don’t mix PCP with other drugs. Since PCP is a sedative, it should not be consumed in combination with other depressants (such as alcohol or opioids).
Always start with a low dose. You can always use more of the drug if you have taken too small of a dose, but you can’t take less of a larger dose you have already consumed.
Use with a buddy and in a safe environment. If you must use alone, let a friend know that you’re using and have them check up on you.
Be mindful of your mental health. If you or members of your biological family have a history of mental health challenges, it is advised to take extra caution with PCP. This is because PCP has neurotoxic properties that can cause certain people to experience psychosis.
Legal Status: Use, Possession, & Distribution
PCP is classified under the “Controlled Drugs and Substances Act” as a Schedule I drug. This means that these drugs are the most heavily policed, and even small possession can lead to criminal charges and “possible imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years” (Part 1, Section 4, p. 5). It is illegal to possess, produce, or sell any quantity of this drug.
References
Anderson, L. (2014). PCP (Phencyclidine). Retrieved from www.drugs.com/illicit/pcp.html.
DanceSafe. (2019). PCP. Retrieved from https://dancesafe.org/pcp/
Erowid. (2013). PCP (Phencyclidine). Retrieved from www.erowid.org/chemicals/pcp/.
Health Canada. (2018). PCP. Retrieved from www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/controlled-illegal-drugs/pcp.html?wbdisable=true.
Journey, J. & Bentley, T. (2019). Phencyclidine (PCP) Toxicity. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507865/
Medical News Today. (2017). What is phencyclidine (PCP), or angel dust?. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305328.php
Image sources
Banner: PCP powder. (2019). iStock. Promises Treatment Centers. Retrieved from https://www.promises.com/blog/facts-about-pcp/
PCP pills. (2019). Serenity Knolls Treatment Center. Retrieved from https://www.serenityknolls.com/addiction/pcp/causes-effects/
PCP powder. (2019). Ontario Drug Rehabs. Retrieved from https://ontariodrugrehabs.com/drugs/pcp/