PCP

Category: Dissociative psychedelic, dissociate anaesthetic, tranquilizer

Chemical name: phencyclidine

• PCP is a synthetic chemical (phencyclidine). It was first synthesized in 1926 and was originally used as a human anaesthetic before being removed from the market due to hallucinations experienced by patients who used it.
• PCP is found in a number of forms including powder, crystals, tablets and liquid. It has recently been available in the form of a cigarette, a marijuana joint or cannabis leaf dipped in liquid PCP. It is also sometimes mixed in with cocaine and other substances.
• A normal dose is considered to be about 5-10 milligrams.
• PCP can be smoked, swallowed in pill or tablet form or injected in liquid form.
• Effects from intravenous injection are felt within a minute, while effects from smoking are felt within 2-20 minutes and effects from oral administration are usually felt within 20 to 40 minutes. Effects usually peak between 10 and 90 minutes, and may last 4 to 8 hours. After effects can be felt for more than 24 hours.

*Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person.*

Effects on brain:

Short term:

• Alters the function of neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin.
• Blocks NMDA receptors for glutamate and aspartate (excitatory transmitters).

• Can induce a thought disorder similar to that seen in schizophrenic patients
• Possible symptoms are auditory hallucinations, speech difficulties, memory loss, brain hemorrhage, other neurodegenerative diseases

Effects on body:

Short term:

• Possible short term effects include increased energy, feelings of warmth, relaxed feelings, tingling, numbness, closed and open eye visuals, change in body temperature, increased perspiration, increased heart rate (in low doses), loss of motor coordination, inability to speak, nausea, vomiting, decreased heart rate, blood pressure and respiration (in high doses), seizures (in high doses), coma (in high doses, risk increases when combined with depressants).

• Possible long term effects include weight loss, convulsions, coma, brain hemorrhage and kidney failure.

Effects on behavior:

Short term:

• Possible short term effects include impaired reaction time, euphoria, sense of calm, increased sociability, altered perception of time, decrease in awareness of pain, dissociative state (mind seems separate from body), erratic behaviour, feelings of invulnerability, hallucinations, anxiety, confusion, aggression, amnesia, and distortion or loss of auditory/visual perception.
• ‘Emergence delirium’ (delirium, disorientation and agitation experienced during drug recovery)

• Possible long term effects include the chance of developing a form of psychosis that might require hospitalization and can last up to weeks
• Other effects may be anxiety, depression, flashbacks.

Addiction: No proof of physical addiction, but psychological dependence can develop quickly.

Tolerance: Tolerance does occur with PCP, so that as you use the drug, more of the drug is needed to achieve the desired effect.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Can include physical distress, lack of energy, and depression can occur when PCP use is abruptly discontinued.

*Disclaimer! Nothing you do can make using PCP completely safe. All drug use has inherent risks and dangers. The suggestions in this section can only help you reduce some of the associated risks. The best way to avoid the harms related to drug use is to not take the drug at all.*

• PCP is illegal, therefore if you are caught possessing, exchanging, buying or selling these drugs it can result in criminal charges.
• Drug use affects the developing mind and body differently than developed ones. Waiting until your mind and body have more fully developed before using substances can have long term health and mental benefits.
• Remain seated/lying down.
• Avoid attempting to swim in order to increase your floating sensation; drowning is common among PCP users.
• Avoid taking PCP with other drugs, particularly alcohol, barbiturates and hallucinogens.
• Avoid sharing equipment (straws, syringes, spoons) since this could lead to transmission of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV
• When injecting, use new, clean syringes and equipment. Prepare your shot on a clean surface. Clean the area you are planning to inject with soap and water or an alcohol pad. You can get clean injection supplies from a syringe exchange, a pharmacy, or your local health department.
• Cleaning needles and works is not risk-free; it’s a last resort. Rinse with cool water 3 times, bleach for 30 seconds, then clean water 3 times.
• Regular and repeated injection can cause abscesses, collapsed veins, infections and other complications. Regular smoking can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties.
• May cause amnesia, so it may sometimes be used as a date rape drug
• PCP is easy to mix into other drugs, such as cannabis, tobacco, cocaine and other substances. No matter what you are planning to use, get your drugs from a reliable source and ask questions about what it is you are getting.