PCP (Phencyclidine)

Dissociatives

Also known as: Angel Dust, Wet, Sherm, Rocket Fuel, Embalming Fluid, Hog, Love Boat, Peace Pill

Medical Review & Editorial Standards

All content is written, edited, and medically reviewed by licensed professionals with expertise in addiction medicine and behavioral health.

Author

Benjamin Zohar

NCACIP

Nationally Certified Advanced Clinical Intervention Professional and recovery advocate in long-term recovery, specializing in intervention services and treatment coordination.

Editor

Ezra Zohar, M.S.Ed.

Educational Specialist

Educational Specialist with M.S. in Secondary Education, reviewing educational content focused on addiction awareness and recovery.

Medical Reviewer

Brandon McNally

Registered Nurse with specialized training in addiction medicine and behavioral health nursing.

Last Updated

November 2025

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What is PCP (Phencyclidine)?

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic that was developed in the 1950s for surgical use but discontinued in 1965 due to severe side effects including agitation, hallucinations, and delirium. It was briefly used in veterinary medicine before being completely removed from medical use. PCP is now manufactured and sold illegally, typically as a powder, liquid, or crystal. It is often sprinkled on marijuana or tobacco and smoked, though it can also be snorted, injected, or swallowed. Street PCP is frequently contaminated with dangerous substances and varies wildly in potency. The drug acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, creating profound dissociation from reality, severe perceptual distortions, and unpredictable behavioral effects. PCP is notorious for causing violent behavior, superhuman strength feelings, and complete detachment from pain.

Effects

PCP causes severe dissociation, feeling detached from one's body and environment. Users experience distorted sensations, hallucinations, altered sense of time, and feelings of invulnerability or superhuman strength. Small doses produce euphoria, relaxation, and mild dissociation. At moderate to high doses, effects become unpredictable and dangerous: severe confusion, disorganized thinking, paranoia, aggression, numbness to pain, inability to speak, blank stare, and catatonia. Users may not remember their actions while intoxicated. Physical effects include numbness, slurred speech, loss of coordination, dilated pupils, involuntary eye movements, increased blood pressure and heart rate, sweating, and rigid muscles.

Risks & Dangers

PCP is one of the most dangerous recreational drugs due to unpredictable behavioral effects. Users have committed acts of extreme violence, self-harm, and suicide while intoxicated, with no memory afterward. The numbness to pain can lead to severe self-injury. Overdose causes seizures, coma, dangerously high body temperature, kidney failure, and death. Even at lower doses, users risk severe injury from accidents, drowning, burns, or falls due to impaired judgment and coordination. Chronic use causes persistent speech difficulties, memory loss, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Some users experience flashbacks and persistent psychosis weeks or months after stopping use. PCP can trigger lasting mental illness in vulnerable individuals.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal includes depression, anxiety, social isolation, difficulty sleeping, persistent cravings, confusion, and memory problems. Some users experience persistent psychotic symptoms, hallucinations, or disturbed thinking for weeks or months. Physical symptoms are generally mild but psychological effects can be severe and prolonged.

Addiction Potential

Moderate to high. While PCP does not cause severe physical withdrawal, strong psychological dependence develops. Users crave the dissociative effects and sense of invulnerability. Tolerance develops, leading to dose escalation and increased danger.

Duration

Smoking: Effects begin in 2-5 minutes, peak at 15-30 minutes. Oral: Effects begin 30-60 minutes. Total duration: 4-6 hours at low doses, 6-24+ hours at higher doses. Residual effects can last days.

Legal Status

Schedule II controlled substance in the United States. No accepted medical use. Manufacturing, distribution, and possession are serious federal crimes with significant prison sentences.

Dosage Information

Doses are extremely difficult to control and vary wildly. Low dose: 1-5mg (mild effects). Moderate: 5-10mg (strong dissociation). High: 10mg+ (severe psychosis risk). Street PCP concentration is unknown, making every use potentially lethal. Even small amounts can cause dangerous behavioral changes.

Alcohol Interaction Warning

Mixing PCP (Phencyclidine) with alcohol can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Combining substances increases the risk of:

• Respiratory depression and overdose
• Unpredictable effects and loss of consciousness
• Increased toxicity to liver and other organs
• Impaired judgment leading to risky behaviors

Learn more about alcohol use disorder and polysubstance use.

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