PCP (Phencyclidine): Facts, Effects And Health Risks

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribe

Human Biology

What is phencyclidine (PCP), or angel dust?

Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Kathleen Davis, FNP on October 12, 2017

What is PCP?
What happens when someone takes PCP?
Short-term effects
Long-term health risks
Withdrawal and treatment
The bottom line

Phencyclidine, or PCP, also known as “angel dust,” is an illegal psychedelic drug that induces hallucinations and produces a feeling of detachment from oneself and one’s surroundings.

Originally developed in the 1950s as a surgical anesthetic, the drug was soon discontinued after it was found to cause agitation and mania, hallucinations, and irrational thinking in patients following its use.

The psychiatric effects vary widely, but it is considered dangerous, and its use has been linked to violent and aggressive actions, psychosis, and a risk of accidental death. An overdose can be life-threatening.

Fast facts on PCP

PCP is a schedule II, hallucinogenic drug. A hallucinogen alters sensory perception, mood, and thought patterns.
It has psychological effects and has been linked to bizarre, violent, and psychotic behavior.
Suddenly stopping PCP use will lead to withdrawal symptoms, including craving and depression.
Hospitalization is often necessary to help someone stop using PCP.

What is PCP?

Hallucinations and delusions can be triggered by PCP.

PCP appeared on the market in the 1950s as an anesthetic and tranquilizer known as Sernyl. It was discontinued in 1967 and limited to veterinary use only.

In 1979, legal manufacturing of PCP in the United States (U.S.) was suspended.

It is now a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S., because it carries a high potential for abuse and may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. A person may be imprisoned for making, distributing, possessing, and using it.

It is made illegally in secret laboratories, along with dozens of analogs (drugs that are chemically similar) available on the street. It is thought to be made primarily in the United States (U.S.), mostly in Southern California, but it is distributed across the country.

The following are street names for PCP:

Angel dust
Elephant tranquilizer
Embalming fluid
Hog
Ozone
Wack
Killer joints
The PeaCe pill
Rocket fuel
Supergrass

PCP is a white crystalline, bitter-tasting powder that quickly dissolves in water or alcohol. It is also found in tablet or capsule form.

Users may smoke, snort, swallow, or inject PCP. Leafy plants such as mint, parsley or marijuana are often sprayed with the chemical, or a rolled joint is dipped into a PCP solution and then smoked.

What happens when someone takes PCP?

PCP affects multiple neurotransmitter systems in the brain. It inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

It also inhibits the action of glutamate by blocking NMDA receptors, which are responsible for pain sensation, emotions, learning, and memory functions.

Interrupting these receptors allows the brain to disconnect from normal sensory experiences, or “reality.” In higher doses, however, it may also excite these receptors.

A typical dose is 5 to 10 milligrams, and 10 mg has been reported to cause stupor. The effects are felt 30 to 60 minutes after oral ingestion, or a few minutes after smoking. Immediate effects last 4 to 6 hours, but a return to a normal state can take up to 24 hours.

However, because the drug is made illegally in uncontrolled conditions, there is no way of knowing how much is being taken, or what the effect will be.

Short-term effects

The effects of PCP vary, depending upon the amount of active drug taken and how it is taken.

An individual may use PCP because it produces euphoria, psychedelic effects, and a sense of calm. However, they may experience effects that they do not want.

Soon after taking a low dose, there may be a rise in blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate.

A larger dose will have the opposite effect, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.

PCP can cause a person to experience:

euphoria
sound, image and body distortion
depersonalization or feelings of detachment
loss of balance and coordination
loss of sensation and inability to feel pain
acute anxiety, agitation, and mood swings
feelings of impending doom
numbness in the arms and legs

Other people may notice that the user is showing:

poor co-ordination and an unsteady gait
bloodshot eyes and rapid eye movements
slurred or garbled speech, or difficulty talking
confusion and disorientation
a blank stare
stupor or lack of movement
combativeness or aggression
bizarre behavior

They may be drooling.

It can also lead to:

rigid muscles
delusions
amnesia, or memory loss
chills and sweating
irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure
reduced breathing rate
dizziness, nausea, and vomiting

High doses can lead to:

seizures
coma
damage to the skeletal muscles, known as rhabdomyolysis.
death

Poor judgment and reasoning skills, psychosis, paranoia, and self-injurious or violent action may occur in those already prone to these behaviors. The person may develop a type of psychosis similar to that seen in schizophrenia.

A sense of super strength and invulnerability, combined with the inability to feel pain and poor judgment, can lead to serious injury.

Users of PCP are often brought to emergency rooms because of the drug’s severe psychological effects and violent or suicidal behaviors.

Ingesting PCP with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol or prescription tranquilizers, can lead to coma.

Severe PCP poisoning can also occur if an individual, when attempting to conceal the drug from authorities, mistakenly ingests large amounts due to body stuffing or packing.

The effects can be hard to predict, because production and sale are illegal and therefore not controlled.

Long-term health risks

Long-term effects include:

stuttering and difficulty speaking
problems with reasoning and memory
anxiety and depression
suicidal thoughts
social isolation and withdrawal
flashbacks

These can last for up to a year.

Some people may experience flashbacks and hallucinations for a long time after using PCP. This is known as hallucinogen-induced persisting perceptual disorder (HPPD).

Toxic psychosis can also develop, causing hostility, paranoia, and delusions in users.

These problems can persist for up to a year or more after an individual has stopped using PCP.

Addiction can also develop, as a person builds up a tolerance to the drug. Addiction and related mental health problems make it hard to function socially, financially, and professionally. This can lead to further complications.

Withdrawal and treatment

The first step toward withdrawing from PCP is to seek supportive therapy.

Discontinuing PCP suddenly can produce withdrawal symptoms. Anyone seeking recovery from PCP use will need medical supervision and possibly hospitalization.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

craving
confusion
depression

While distressing, withdrawal from PCP is not life threatening. Recovery takes time, however, as the person will need support as they learn the skills necessary for a drug-free life.

Those with persistent behavioral problems or distressing psychological effects may need psychiatric evaluation and treatment for mental health problems.

The behavior of a person using PCP can be dangerous to themselves and to others. It is important for the person to seek help, or for their loved ones to intervene, if possible.

It may be worth asking a professionally trained person to approach the loved one, as it can be difficult for families to intervene.

Treatment with a drug rehabilitation center or addiction professional is recommended.

The bottom line

The extent of use of PCP appears to be falling. In 1979, 13 percent of high school students said they had tried PCP. By 1990, that figure had fallen to 3 percent.

Results of a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, published by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), show that, in 2015, 0.2 percent of 12- to 17- year olds had tried it at some time in their life.

Despite this fall in its use, PCP is still a matter of concern to health authorities and drug agencies.

Anyone who is concerned about substance use should speak to their primary care physician. A doctor can assist if any medical treatment is necessary, and they can also refer a person to available local services or support groups.

The SAMHSA website can direct you to helplines and other assistance.

Mental Health
Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Psychology / Psychiatry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Behavioral health trends in the United States: results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (2014)http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FRR1-2014/NSDUH-FRR1-2014.pdf
Brown Lancaster, J. (n.d.). PCPhttp://kidshealth.org/en/teens/pcp.html

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Kathleen Davis, FNP on October 12, 2017

Latest news

What's the best diet to lower cognitive decline risk? Study compares 6 diets
Less plaque, higher risk? Females show greater vulnerability to cardiac events
What's the hype around magnesium, and should you take supplements?
'Longevity' supplement improves vascular aging markers in clinical trial
New blood test 'clocks' could predict Alzheimer’s symptom onset years in advance

Related Coverage

Salvia: What are the effects?Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
Salvia is a recreational drug, a fast-acting hallucinogenic plant that can distort sensations of time and space. Intense effects occur 2 minutes after…
READ MORE
What is mephedrone and what does it do?Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D.
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant, a psychoactive drug that temporarily enhances mental and physical function. It is an illegal substance.
READ MORE
What does it feel like to be on acid?Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Acid is another name for LSD, a substance that temporarily alters a person’s mental state. Here, learn more about what it feels like to take acid.
READ MORE
The effects and hazards of LSDMedically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP
The primary effect of LSD is to alter the senses and cause hallucinations. It is illegal to use LSD recreationally, but it may have some therapeutic…
READ MORE
How quickly does the body process phencyclidine?
What is phencyclidine (PCP), and how long can tests detect angel dust in a person's system? Learn more about PCP and how quickly the body can process…
READ MORE

Tag » How Long Does Pcp Last

PCP (Phencyclidine): Facts, Effects And Health Risks

Human Biology

Fast facts on PCP

What is PCP?

What happens when someone takes PCP?

Short-term effects

Long-term health risks

Withdrawal and treatment

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System? | Windward Way Recovery

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System: Blood, Urine, And Saliva

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System? - Oxford Treatment Center

Contact Us - National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)

PCP (Phencyclidine): 9 FAQs About Angel Dust - Healthline

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System?

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System? (Blood, Urine, & More)

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System? - Verywell Mind

How Long Does PCP Stay In Your System? | PCP Urine Test

What Happens When Someone Takes PCP

How Long Can PCP Be Detected In Your System?

PCP (Angel Dust): Effects, Hazards & Extent Of Use

PCP Effects | Short Term, Long Term & Side Effects

Long-Term Effects Of PCP Abuse - American Addiction Centers

Contact