PCP
Phencyclidine (PCP), also known as angel dust or Sernyl, is a recreational drug characterized by its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. Initially synthesized in 1926 for use as an anesthetic, it was discontinued due to serious psychological side effects, including agitation and psychosis. PCP is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, making it illegal to possess or distribute in the United States and globally. The drug can be administered through various routes, including inhalation, injection, or oral ingestion, with effects that can manifest rapidly or take longer depending on the method used.
PCP affects the central nervous system by blocking certain neurotransmitter receptors, leading to varied responses in users, such as calming effects or increased agitation. Low doses may produce alcohol-like symptoms, while higher doses can lead to severe physiological and psychological disturbances, including hallucinations, paranoia, and potentially life-threatening conditions such as respiratory failure and cardiac complications. Despite a decline in popularity since the late 1970s, PCP remains available in certain areas and poses significant risks, particularly with the potential for long-lasting mental health consequences and unpredictable reactions.
Subject Terms
PCP
ALSO KNOWN AS: Angel dust; embalming fluid; phencyclidine; Sernyl; wet; whack
DEFINITION: PCP is a recreational drug with hallucinogenic and dissociative properties. It was first produced as a potential agent for anesthesia but was later recognized as a dangerous substance of abuse that can significantly alter mental status.
STATUS: Illegal in the United States (US) and worldwide
CLASSIFICATION: Schedule II controlled substance
SOURCE: No natural source; illegally synthesized by combining several chemicals into a crystal or powder
TRANSMISSION ROUTE: Snorted in powder form or smoked when applied to other substances, such as marijuana or an herb; injected intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly; orally ingested as a tablet or capsule
History of Use
Phencyclidine (PCP) was originally synthesized in 1926 as 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine. It was intended for use as an intravenous surgical anesthetic during World War II because it caused decreased sensitivity to pain (analgesia) without decreasing heart and lung function or muscle tone. Its use was discontinued for this purpose after patients had adverse psychological side effects that included increased agitation and psychosis.
PCP was patented in 1963 as the anesthetic Sernyl by Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical but was taken off the market two years later because of the drug’s adverse psychological effects and long half-life. PCP reappeared for veterinary use in 1967 as an animal tranquilizer.
PCP gained popularity as a recreational substance in the late 1960s because of its psychological effects. In 1969, however, PCP was made an illegal substance to possess, sell, or manufacture. In the early 1970s, the drug was categorized as a Schedule III controlled substance. It was moved from Schedule III to Schedule II in 1978.
Since the 1970s, PCP’s popularity has substantially decreased, but the drug remains readily available. Initial data from the peak of PCP use in 1979 revealed that 7 percent of high school students had used the drug. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that in 2016, 6.45 million Americans twelve and older had used PCP in their lifetimes. Two years later, that number had dropped to 6.08 million, and, in 2023, the number rose slightly to 6.3 million. The recreational use of PCP remained popular in specific areas, such as Washington, DC.
Many persons are exposed to PCP without their knowledge. One study found that almost 25 percent of marijuana also contained trace levels of PCP. Additionally, PCP and other recreational drugs are gaining popularity as alternative drugs for treating chronic pain.
Effects and Potential Risks
PCP acts as an N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist by blocking NMDA receptor activity. It also inhibits the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels. By both of these mechanisms, PCP interferes with the brain’s natural neurotransmitter responses. The actions of PCP on the brain are complex, causing both stimulation and depression of the central nervous system. This explains why some users may have a calming response to PCP exposure while others may have an agitated or aggressive reaction.
The timing of drug effects depends on the mode of administration. Inhalation of PCP is the most common route because the drug works quite rapidly if inhaled; symptoms can be observed within about five minutes. With oral ingestion, symptoms can take up to one hour to be realized. The first effects of PCP last for approximately four to seven hours, but the long-lasting consequences continue for several days or even one week.
Initial effects of low doses (3 to 5 milligrams [mg]) resemble those of alcohol intoxication, including slurred speech, an unsteady gait (ataxia), and a numbing of the arms and legs. There is a significant increase in blood pressure (hypertension), pulse rate (tachycardia), and analgesia.
At increased doses (of more than 5 mg), PCP causes a decrease in respiratory rate, an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), increased muscle tone (hypertonia), and seizures. In addition to the physiological effects, PCP also produces significant alterations in mental status at high doses. The psychological effects include hallucinations, delusions, an “out-of-body” experience, amnesia, paranoia, a catatonic state, and disorganized thinking. Depression and psychosis may persist for an extended time after withdrawal.
The risk of permanent schizophrenic-like symptoms exists with PCP abuse rather than with occasional recreational use. PCP is unpredictable in how mood and mental status will be changed, and some users have negative experiences that lead to an increased tendency for suicidal thoughts or committing violent acts. Hospitalization may be required to closely monitor symptoms while recovering.
Coma and deaths have been reported from cardiac arrest, strokes from hypertension, increased body temperature (hyperthermia), breakdown of muscle (rhabdomyolysis), and increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Suicides and accidents secondary to violent behavior are also commonly reported. Deaths also occur because of the consumption of an unknown dosage, the presence of contaminated materials in substances that have been illegally manufactured and distributed, underlying medical issues, and the use of other drugs simultaneously.
Bibliography
Bey, Tareg, and Anar Patel. "Phencyclidine Intoxication and Adverse Effects: A Clinical and Pharmacological Review of an Illicit Drug." California Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol. 8.1, 2007, pp. 9–14.
Deroux, Stephen, Anthony Sgarlato, and Elizabeth Marker. "Phencyclidine: A 5-Year Retrospective Review from the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office." Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 56.3, 2011, pp. 656–59.
Liu, F., et al. "Changes in Gene Expression after Phencyclidine Administration in Developing Rats: A Potential Animal Model for Schizophrenia." International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, vol. 29.3, 2011, pp. 351–58.
"PCP (Phencyclidine) - Facing Addiction in America." NCBI, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424847/table/appd.t13. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
"Phencyclidine." Drug Enforcement Administration, March 2020, www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug‗chem‗info/pcp.pdf. Accessed 30 Nov. 2022.
“Substance Use - Phencyclidine (PCP).” MedlinePlus, 4 May 2024, medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000797.htm. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
“Why America Is the Only Place in the World Where People Use PCP.” VICE, 22 Mar. 2021, www.vice.com/en/article/pcp-america-pcp-use-washington-dc. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.