What is phencyclidine?
Phencyclidine was developed in the 1950s as an intravenous (IV) anesthetic; however, due to the side effects of postoperative delirium, confusion, and hallucinations, its development for human medical use was discontinued.
Today, PCP is abused for its mind altering effects, and it is no longer legally manufactured or used for medical purposes in the United States. PCP is considered a “dissociative” illicit drug due to its ability to distort sight, sounds, and lead to a feeling of detachment from one’s self.
How is PCP used?
PCP is available in tablets, capsules, crystals, and colored powders, which are either taken by mouth or insufflated (“snorted”). PCP can also be abused by injecting the drug, although this is uncommon. PCP is typically used in small quantities; 5 to 10 mg is an average dose, although this can be highly variable. The effects of PCP can last for 4 to 8 hours, depending upon route.
PCP is usually abused by inhaling, smoking or swallowing. Smoking is the most common method of abusing PCP. The liquid form of the drug is phencyclidine base dissolved in a liquid solvent like ether, which is highly flammable. For smoking, PCP may be sprayed onto leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano, or marijuana, and then rolled into a joint. It can be bought in a crystallized or powdered form, as well, and inhaled up the nose (“snorted”).
What are the streets names for phencyclidine?
Phencyclidine is illicitly sold under a number of street names including:
- Angel Dust
- Hog
- Lovely
- Wack
- Embalming Fluid
- Rocket Fuel
Supergrass, Killer Joints, and Fry Sticks are names used when phencyclidine is combined with marijuana and rolled into a cigarette (joint) for smoking.
PCP is most commonly bought as a powder or liquid.
Chemistry and Pharmacology of PCP
Phencyclidine is known chemically as 1-(1-phencyclohexyl) piperidine. It is considered a hallucinogen and a dissociative drug. Physically, phencyclidine is a white crystal-like powder, dissolves in water or alcohol, and has a bitter medi...
