3-HO-PCE
3-HO-PCE is a synthetic dissociative of the arylcyclohexylamine class that emerged on the research chemical market in the 2010s.1 Unlike its close structural analog 3-HO-PCP, it has no prior precedent in the scientific literature. The compound is noted for producing potent, dose-sensitive dissociative, hallucinogenic, and euphoric effects. It is considered habit-forming, and very limited research exists regarding its pharmacological profile and safety.1
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Redosing may produce dangerous cumulative effects. If affinity for opioid receptors exists, 3-HO-PCE may present unique risks relative to other dissociatives, particularly with repeated administration.
Duration
Subjective Effects
3-HO-PCE produces a dissociative experience that is frequently described as carrying an atypical opioid-like warmth alongside the detachment characteristic of arylcyclohexylamines. The effect profile combines the disconnection, anesthesia, and perceptual dampening typical of dissociatives with a relaxed, comfort-oriented body sensation that sets it apart from colder analogs such as PCE or ketamine. At higher doses the experience progresses toward the immersive hole states common to this class.
Physical
The body feels heavy, warm, and comfortable, with pronounced pain relief, sedation, and increasing impairment of coordination as the dose rises.
Sedation
Cognitive
The headspace is relaxed and detached, with a notable euphoric and anxiolytic tone that users often attribute to the compound's opioid-like character.
Emotional
Visual
Tactile
Tactile perception is dampened, contributing to the anesthetic and disconnected quality of the experience.
Suppressions
Reagent Testing
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Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Although no formal pharmacological studies have been conducted on 3-HO-PCE specifically, it is thought to act principally as an NMDA receptor antagonist, consistent with other arylcyclohexylamine dissociatives. Whether 3-HO-PCE also possesses appreciable μ-opioid receptor affinity remains a subject of ongoing speculation, based on its structural relationship to 3-HO-PCP, which has demonstrated μ-opioid receptor affinity in animal models.2
Pharmacokinetics
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Tolerance
Dissociatives
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateChronic use has been characterized as moderately addictive with notable habit-forming properties. Compulsive redosing is commonly reported, particularly when smoked or vaporized due to the rapid onset and offset of effects. It has been described as more potentially habit-forming than ketamine, MXE, diphenidine, ephenidine, and DCK.
Physical
LowWhen addiction develops, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur upon cessation, though the specific nature and severity of physical withdrawal symptoms are not well characterized.
Toxicity
Repeated and excessive use over extended periods may cause bladder and urinary tract problems similar to those seen with ketamine,3 though potentially to a lesser extent due to the substance's higher potency requiring smaller amounts of material to be consumed.
Psychosis Risk
Chronic use carries a moderate potential for psychosis and related adverse psychological effects. Mania is reportedly more common with this substance than with most other dissociatives. Delusions may also occur, particularly at higher doses or with repeated use.
Seizure Risk
Seizures may occur in predisposed individuals, particularly under physically taxing conditions such as dehydration, malnourishment, overheating, or fatigue. The extent to which this effect can be produced is not well characterized.
History & Culture
3-HO-PCE emerged on the grey market research chemical scene during the 2010s1 without any prior presence in scientific literature. Unlike its close structural analog 3-HO-PCP, which had been discussed in underground chemistry forums since the late 1990s before…
Trip Reports
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Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Larabi IA, Joseph LP, Lesueur C, & Alvarez JC. (2023). Characterization of 3-Hydroxyeticyclidine (3-HO-PCE) Metabolism in Human Liver Microsomes and Biological Samples Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Metabolites, 13(3), 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo130304321234
- Y Itzhak, A Kalir, & Y Sarne. (1981). On the opioid nature of phencyclidine and its 3-hydroxy derivative. 73(2-3), 229-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(81)90097-21
- Chin-Li Chen, Sheng-Tang Wu, Tai-Lung Cha, Guang-Huan Sun, & En Meng. (2022). Molecular Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Strategies of Ketamine-Related Cystitis. 11(4), 502. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology1104050212
- (2019). Anlage NpSG. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage.html1
- (2019). § 4 NpSG. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html1
- (n.d.). Förordning (1999:58) om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor. Sveriges riksdag. https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/forordning-199958-om-forbud-mot-vissa_sfs-1999-58/1
- (n.d.). The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2013 (SI 2013/239). The National Archives. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/239/made1
- (2012-10-18). ACMD: Methoxetamine Report (2012). Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs / UK Home Office. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b26e640f0b66eab99f555/methoxetamine2012.pdf1
Further Reading
CFSRE Analytical Report: 3-HO-PCE (NMS Labs 2019)
Drugs-Forum: 3-HO-PCE experiences thread
Larabi et al. (2023) – HR-MS metabolism study
Larabi et al. (2023): Metabolism study (DOI)
Morris & Wallach (2014): SAR of PCP analogues
Nervewing: 10 mg × 2 IN trip report (2017)- Nervewing: 25 mg IN revisited report (2020)
- PubChem: 3-HO-PCE (CID 155774333)
Reddit r/dissociatives: dosage survey (2021)- Reddit r/researchchemicals: 10-30 mg hypomania log (2024)
- Reddit r/researchchemicals: 30 mg discussion thread (2023)
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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