Phencyclidine – more popularly known as PCP – and its analogs fall under dissociative drugs. Though initially developed to be an anesthetic, this drug is hazardous and classified as a DEA Schedule I or II drug.
This may be confusing, as Schedule I drugs are known to have no accepted medical uses. In contrast, Schedule II drugs have acceptable benefits but must be controlled in limited quantities. When PCP was first developed, it was designed to be an anesthetic, but it has no known or approved medical uses today, so it is classified and treated as a Schedule I drug.
Drug Details – What Is PCP?
A dissociative anesthetic, PCP, puts the user in a trance-like sedated state. While the user may not lose consciousness, they will feel detached from reality, their environment, and their body.
The History of PCP
In the 1950s, researchers developed PCP to create a new intravenous anesthetic. However, the resulting drug caused several side effects, including delirium, hallucinations, and manic episodes. As a result, by the 1960s, PCP research was discontinued, and Ketamine was developed as a potential replacement.
Ketamine is considered safe for human use and a Schedule III controlled substance. PCP, on the other hand, has a place on either the Schedule I or II lists. When pure, PCP is a white crystalline powder that can easily dissolve in liquids. However, most PCP found on the street today contain contaminants that will cause the drug to take on a gummy consistency and be yellow or dark brown.
Illicit PCP and its analogs can be swallowed, injected, or smoked in many forms. These include tablets, capsules, or powders, and there is a liquid form. To smoke it, users typically spray liquid PCP over marijuana, tobacco, oregano, parsley, or mint, wait for the leaves to dry, and then smoke them.
Street Names for PCP and PCP Analogs
A lot of people refer to PCP by its abbreviation, but there are also a few different slang terms for the drug and its analogs, including:
- Angel dust
- Hog
- Love boat
- Boat
- Peace Pill
- Wack
- Ozone
- Green Kryptonite
Side Effects of Using PCP and Its Analogs
Some of the most common side effects associated with using PCP and its analogs include:
- Slurred speech
- Numbness, especially in the extremities
- Rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Drooling
- Blurred vision
- Depressed respiration
- Increased blood pressure
- Seizures
- Coma
Some of these symptoms may only appear when PCP is in use, but some can persist for up to a year after it was taken. With extended use of the drug and its analogs, you can expect to experience more of these adverse side effects.
What Does the High From PCP Feel Like?
Getting high on PCP will usually initially make the user feel detached from their body and their surroundings. After this initial dissociation, they may experience slurred speech and loss of coordination, often combined with a feeling of invincibility.
A PCP overdose is usually accompanied by depressed respiration and seizures and may result in a coma or death. This is more common with users who have been getting high on PCP for an extended time, but someone who does not know how much to take could also overdose the first time they try it.
