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3-HO-PCE
3-Hydroxyeticyclidine
3-OH-PCE, 3-Hydroxy PCE, Hydroxyeticyclidine
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
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Threshold~2 mg
Light2-5 mg
Moderate5-10 mg
Strong10-15 mg
Heavy15+ mg
Repeated doses may lead to hazardous cumulative effects.
Duration
Onset20-40 minutes
After Effects2 hours
Total3-4 hours
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
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Direct in vitro evidence supports binding of 3-HO-PCE at the NMDA-receptor TCP/PCP site. In a [3H]TCP competition assay using GluN2B-transfected HEK-293 cells, 3-HO-PCE had a Ki of 29.3 nM and produced ERK activation in the study's non-ionotropic signaling assay. The study did not measure inhibition of NMDA ion currents, human effects, broad receptor selectivity, or μ-opioid-receptor activity, so those properties remain unestablished for 3-HO-PCE.2
Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism is no longer wholly unknown. A 2023 study combining pooled human liver microsomes with urine and hair from one person who used 3-HO-PCE identified 15 putative metabolites: 12 phase I products involving N-dealkylation, deamination, and oxidation, and three phase II O-glucuronides. Because authentic metabolite standards were unavailable, the structures were assigned tentatively from high-resolution mass-spectrometric fragmentation. The user's dose and time since last use were not disclosed, so the study does not establish absorption, bioavailability, clearance, or elimination half-life in humans.1
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.
DepressantsStimulants
Tolerance
Full Tolerance
Repeated 3-HO-PCE use over time can reduce responsiveness to many effects, so users may need larger amounts to obtain similar results.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
4-7 days
Cross 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
Urinary System
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
GermanyControlled (NpSG)
Regulated under the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (New Psychoactive Substances Act) since July 18, 2019. Production, importation for market distribution, administration to others, and commercial distribution are criminal offenses.45 Personal possession is prohibited but does not carry criminal penalties.
SwitzerlandControlled (Verzeichnis E)
Specifically listed as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis E of the Swiss narcotics scheduling system.
United KingdomClass B
Controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 via the arylcyclohexylamine generic clause introduced by Statutory Instrument 2013/239, effective February 26, 2013.7 This catch-all provision was recommended following an Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report in October 2012 that addressed methoxetamine and its analogues.8 Possession, production, supply, and importation are criminal offenses.
SwedenConsumption illegal
Not scheduled as a controlled substance for research purposes. However, human consumption is prohibited under Swedish law.6
TurkeyIllegal
Classified as a controlled drug under Turkish narcotics legislation. Possession, production, supply, and importation are all prohibited.
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/metabo13030432123456789
- Structure-Activity Relationship of NMDA Receptor Ligands and Their Activities on the ERK Activation through Metabotropic Signaling Pathway. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2024.2161
- 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
- Anlage NpSG. (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage.html1
- § 4 NpSG. (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html1
- Förordning (1999:58) om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor. Sveriges riksdag (n.d.). https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/forordning-199958-om-forbud-mot-vissa_sfs-1999-58/1
- The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2013 (SI 2013/239). The National Archives (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/239/made1
- ACMD: Methoxetamine Report (2012). Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs / UK Home Office (2012-10-18). 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)
- Reviewed & approved
Reviewed, edited, and approved by subject-matter expert Lyrea.
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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