PCP

Phencyclidine is a powerful dissociative drug and NMDA receptor antagonist originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1950s. It was withdrawn from medical use due to severe psychological side effects. PCP produces profound dissociation, distorted perception, out-of-body experiences, and frequently hallucinations. CRITICAL WARNING: PCP has extremely unpredictable effects. Users frequently experience extreme agitation, violent behavior, psychosis, self-injury, and superhuman strength during intoxication. Many users have no memory of their actions while intoxicated. Behavior is highly dose-dependent and individual-dependent. Violence, injury to self and others, and death are well-documented outcomes. PCP is frequently found as an adulterant in cannabis, cocaine, and other street drugs without user knowledge. Addiction potential is high.

How It Works

PCP is a non-competitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors. It also acts as a monoamine reuptake inhibitor (increasing dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin). This dual action — glutamate antagonism plus monoamine potentiation — produces intense dissociation combined with stimulant-like activation. At higher doses, the dissociative and psychotomimetic effects become dominant and severely unpredictable.

Legal Status

Schedule II controlled substance in the United States. Illegal in most countries. Possession, manufacture, and distribution are serious felonies. Some analogs (dizocilpine, ketamine) have restricted medical uses; PCP has none.

Dosage Guide (Smoked (on cannabis, most common route))

Note: DOSING IS EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE. PCP saturation on joint/bowl is uneven — some hits have much more than others. Smoking multiple times escalates effects unpredictably. Threshold and light doses produce mild dissociation, euphoria, psychomotor effects. Common doses produce significant dissociation and hallucinations. Strong doses produce intense dissociation, profound hallucinations, and frequently violence/psychosis/self-injury. Heavy doses (20mg+) carry extreme overdose risk: complete dissociation, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, death. Oral dosing has even worse bioavailability variability. Total dose uncertainty is one of the reasons PCP is so dangerous.

Organ System Impacts

cardiovascular — Dangerous

Severe hypertension (blood pressure spikes to dangerously high levels). Tachycardia and palpitations. Arrhythmias including dangerous rhythms like ventricular fibrillation. Myocardial infarction (heart attack) reported in young users. Stroke risk from severe hypertension. Dissociation masks all symptoms.

neurological — Dangerous

Profound NMDA antagonism produces severe dissociation and psychotomimetic effects. Seizures possible, especially with high doses or rapid escalation. Acute psychosis and delirium. Violence and aggression frequently emerge. Behavior becomes completely unpredictable and dangerous. Long-term neurological changes unknown but chronic use associated with cognitive decline.

ocular — Moderate

Pupil dilation (mydriasis). Nystagmus (eye tremor) both horizontal and vertical — characteristic finding. Blurred vision. Visual hallucinations. No long-term ocular damage documented but acute effects impair vision significantly.

dermatological — Moderate

Profuse sweating common. Skin flushing. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Risk of self-inflicted wounds from violence and lack of pain sensation during intoxication. Scars and injuries common in chronic users.

respiratory — Moderate

Respiratory depression at high doses. Shallow, irregular breathing. Pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs) reported in severe cases. Smoking PCP involves inhalation injury. Dangerous interaction with CNS depression if combined with other drugs.

hepatic — Low

Limited hepatotoxicity data available for PCP itself. Liver metabolizes PCP; chronic use may stress hepatic system. No specific documented liver damage pattern but hepatic dysfunction possible with chronic use.

hematological — Low

No specific hematological effects documented. Anemia possible from chronic abuse and poor nutrition. Infection-related complications from IV use.

renal — Dangerous

Acute kidney injury from rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown during violent behavior). Myoglobinuria (muscle proteins in urine) causes tubular necrosis. Severe hypertension also stresses kidneys. Chronic use may lead to chronic kidney disease.

gastrointestinal — Low

Nausea and vomiting possible but less prominent than other dissociatives. Dry mouth. Anorexia from drug use. Constipation possible. Generally minimal GI effects compared to other organ systems.

musculoskeletal — Dangerous

Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) from violent behavior, seizures, and extreme physical exertion during intoxication. Dissociation eliminates pain feedback, allowing users to injure themselves severely. Muscle pain, myoglobinuria, kidney failure from muscle breakdown. Long-term muscle damage from repeated rhabdomyolysis.

Effects

Desired Effects

• Euphoria and mood elevation
• Dissociation from body
• Altered perception
• Out-of-body experience
• Visual distortions
• Hallucinatory visuals
• Emotional blunting
• Decreased pain perception

Negative Effects

• Severe anxiety and panic
• Paranoia and persecution complex
• Aggression and hostility
• Agitation and restlessness
• Confusion and disorientation
• Severe dissociation (loss of body sense)
• Violent urges and acting on them
• Memory gaps and blackouts
• Extreme paranoid ideation
• Suicidal or homicidal ideation

Rare but Serious

• Acute psychosis
• Violent behavior and aggression towards self/others
• Superhuman strength
• Self-harm: head banging, self-cutting, jumping from heights
• Seizures
• Severe hypertension (can lead to stroke)
• Cardiac arrhythmias and heart attack
• Hyperthermia leading to organ failure
• Respiratory depression and arrest
• Rhabdomyolysis from violent behavior
• Acute renal failure from rhabdomyolysis
• Pulmonary edema
• Coma and death

Drug Interactions

Detection Times

PCP (phencyclidine) is included in standard drug panels. Heavy use extends detection significantly.

Urine

Standard immunoassay. Casual use: 7-14 days. Heavy use: up to 30 days. Detection window: up to 14 days.

Blood

Blood detection for recent use. Detection window: up to 2 days.

Hair

Hair follicle testing detects PCP. Detection window: up to 90 days.

Saliva

Oral fluid testing. Detection window: up to 3 days.

Harm Reduction Tips

• Avoid combining with ANY other drug: alcohol, opioids, stimulants, other dissociatives, benzodiazepines. All combinations significantly increase overdose and medical emergency risk.

• Have naloxone (Narcan) available if opioid co-use possible, though PCP overdose doesn't respond to naloxone.

• Avoid redosing. Effects take time to peak (especially oral); redosing before peak leads to overdose.

• Never combine PCP with stimulants. The cardiovascular stress is potentially fatal.

• Never escalate doses. Most severe incidents involve redosing as user doesn't feel effects immediately from smoking.

• Never drive or operate machinery. Dissociation, poor coordination, and unpredictable behavior make this extremely dangerous.

• Monitor vital signs if possible: heart rate, blood pressure, temperature. Severe hypertension and hyperthermia are life-threatening.

• Stay hydrated and maintain normal temperature. Hyperthermia from physical exertion during intoxication can cause organ failure.

• If using cannot be avoided: Use only with experienced, trusted people present. Never use alone. Have someone remain sober and able to call emergency services.

• ABSOLUTE BEST PRACTICE: Do not use PCP. The risks far exceed any potential benefit. No safe level of use exists.

• Avoid smoking route. Oral route provides longer onset allowing time to recognize intoxication; smoking produces immediate severe effects.

• Stay in safe environment. Secure location away from heights, weapons, sharp objects, others. Violent and self-injurious behavior is common.

• If in acute distress: Call emergency services immediately. Describe PCP use clearly — medical personnel need to know for appropriate treatment.

• Seek mental health support if experiencing recurring use urges. Addiction develops quickly and psychological dependence is strong.

• Understand that dissociation may prevent memory formation — you may not remember actions taken during intoxication, including violence or self-injury.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Severity: Moderate

Acute phase: 1-7 days. Cognitive recovery: weeks to months. Heavy users may have persistent cognitive deficits.

Physical

• Seizures (possible in heavy users)
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Muscle twitching

Psychological

• Cravings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Memory and cognitive impairment
• Confusion
• Hallucinations possible during acute withdrawal

Emergency Information

Call 911 If:

• Violent behavior or threat of violence towards self or others
• Severe agitation lasting >15 minutes
• Hallucinations with panic or belief in danger
• Rapid or severely irregular heartbeat
• Severe hypertension (>180/120 mmHg) with headache
• Severe hyperthermia (>104F / 40C)
• Difficult or shallow breathing
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Seizures
• Self-injury attempts
• Suicidal ideation or behavior
• Psychosis or delusional thinking lasting >30 minutes
• Severe chest pain
• Signs of stroke (facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)

Warning Signs

• Severe agitation and violence
• Extreme paranoia and delusional thinking
• Hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile)
• Seizures or convulsions
• Severe hypertension with headache (risk of stroke)
• Rapid, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
• Severe hyperthermia (body temp >104F / 40C)
• Profuse sweating and difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Unresponsiveness to stimuli
• Rapid speech or inability to speak clearly
• Self-injury or suicide attempts
• Aggressive/violent behavior towards others
• Blue lips or cyanosis (lack of oxygen)

What To Do

1. Ensure scene safety. Violent users are extremely dangerous — evacuate other people and call police/emergency if needed.
2. Do not attempt physical restraint unless trained and necessary for safety. PCP users often have superhuman strength.
3. Call 911 immediately if any serious symptoms present.
4. Keep person in calm, quiet environment away from stimuli.
5. Stay calm and speak in low, non-threatening tone.
6. Do not argue or confront about reality of hallucinations.
7. Monitor airway, breathing, circulation. Place in recovery position if unconscious.
8. Monitor vital signs: heart rate, blood pressure, temperature if possible.
9. If seizing: protect from injury, do not restrain, move away dangerous objects.
10. Cool if hyperthermic: ice packs, cool water, remove excess clothing.
11. Have medical information about dose (if known), time of ingestion, any co-ingestions ready.
12. Do not leave person alone — they may harm self or others.
13. Reassure person repeatedly that effects are temporary.