Skip to main content
dose.wiki is still in beta. Entries may contain inaccuracies and/or lack citations. See our docs for more info.

WARNINGREDOSING CAN TRIGGER PSYCHOSIS

PCP-like dissociatives can cause mania, paranoia, or psychosis that outlasts the high. High doses, redosing, and sleep loss raise the risk.

3-MeO-PCP

3-MeO-PCP molecule structure3-MeO-PCP molecule structure
3-Methoxyphencyclidine
3-MeO
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class

3-MeO-PCP is a dissociative hallucinogen of the arylcyclohexylamine class and a derivative of phencyclidine (PCP).1 First synthesized in 1979 during an investigation of PCP derivatives, it emerged as a widely used novel psychoactive substance in the 2010s. Compared to other dissociatives, it is notably more physically stimulating and prone to producing hypomanic-type effects that, while potentially euphoric at lower doses, can become dangerous at higher amounts. It is considered habit-forming.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~1 mg
Light1-5 mg
Moderate5-8 mg
Strong8-12 mg
Heavy12+ mg

Strong and heavy doses can produce deliriant-like effects in which users may not recognize that their perceptions and thoughts are hallucinatory; psychosis-like symptoms and mania are reported in this range.

Duration

Onset30-90 minutes
Come Up45-120 minutes
Peak2-3 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects4-48 hours
Total4-8 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation work byJosie Kins August 2016.

See also: Dissociative Intensity Scale, Subjective Effects of Dissociatives

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → blue1 → blue1 → blue2
Mecke(ME)
white → yellow2
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → green2
Liebermann(LB)
white → brown2
Powered by PROtestkit.eu

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

3-MeO-PCP acts primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist, binding to the dizocilpine (MK-801) site with a Ki of 20 nM.citation needed This represents higher NMDA receptor affinity than PCP and the highest among the three isomeric methoxy-substituted PCP analogs. Beyond NMDA receptor antagonism, 3-MeO-PCP shows appreciable affinity for the sigma-1 receptor (Ki = 42 nM) and the serotonin transporter (Ki = 216 nM)2, functioning as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, with additional low-affinity binding at the histamine H1 receptor (Ki = 2,960 nM). Findings at secondary targets including the κ-opioid receptor, sigma-2 receptor, norepinephrine transporter, and dopamine transporter are conflicting between studies, with one reporting negligible binding (Ki >10,000 nM) and another reporting moderate affinities at these sites.

Pharmacokinetics

3-MeO-PCP has an estimated elimination half-life of 10 to 11 hours based on limited clinical case data.2 It undergoes hepatic metabolism through hydroxylation of the cyclohexyl and piperidine rings and O-demethylation, with these reactions primarily catalyzed by CYP2B6 and with contributions from CYP2C19 and CYP2D6.citation needed O-demethylation yields 3-HO-PCP (O-demethyl-3-MeO-PCP), which appears to be a major metabolite3 and is itself a similarly potent dissociative that may contribute to the overall effects. Phase II metabolism involves glucuronidation.4

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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
Powered by TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to the effects of 3-MeO-PCP develops rapidly with repeated use, often within a few days of consecutive dosing. At lighter doses, similar effects may persist for several days, particularly for non-dissociative effects such as stimulation, mood enhancement, and anxiolysis. However, the full dissociative effects associated with moderate to strong doses become progressively more difficult to achieve within just a few days of use. With substantial use patterns, such as daily dosing at low to moderate levels or weekly use of higher doses over weeks to months, some degree of tolerance may persist for weeks to months after complete cessation.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks under normal use patterns. However, following extended heavy use, residual tolerance may persist for weeks to months according to subjective reports.
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Dissociatives

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

High

High abuse potential with significant risk of psychological dependence, reported as more likely to produce dependence than other dissociatives.citation needed Compulsive redosing is a notable problem, particularly with intranasal and vaporized routes of administration due to faster onset and offset. Multiple reports document users becoming seriously dependent on this substance.

Physical

Low

Physical dependence can develop with chronic use. Cravings and withdrawal effects may occur upon sudden cessation.

Toxicity

Urinary System

Repeated and excessive use over extended periods may cause bladder and urinary tract problems similar to those seen with ketamine, though potentially to a lesser extent due to lower quantities needed for effect; symptoms can include urinary frequency, urgency, pelvic pain, hematuria, and incontinence.citation needed

Cardiovascular

Acute cardiovascular effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate during intoxication,1 reported as more pronounced than with other dissociatives; abnormal heartbeat has also been reported.citation needed

Central Nervous System

Frequent use or high doses may cause neurotoxicity, as reported for arylcyclohexylamine class dissociatives generally; acute effects include confusion, disorientation, and cognitive impairment.citation needed

Respiratory

Respiratory depression has been reported at heavier dosage levels.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

Reported to cause psychosis, delusions, and mania at significantly higher rates than other dissociatives such as ketamine, MXE, or diphenidine.citation needed A large number of experience reports describe psychotic delirium, amnesia, mania, and other serious consequences. Episodes typically occur during the offset but can emerge during onset. Hospitalization is sometimes required, with resolution occasionally taking a week or more. Risk factors include high doses, multi-day use, compulsive redosing, sleep deprivation, and chronic daily use even at low doses over weeks or months.

Seizure Risk

The extent to which seizures can occur is unknown, but they may happen in predisposed individuals, particularly under physically taxing conditions such as dehydration, fatigue, or undernourishment.citation needed

History & Culture

Synthesis and Early Research

3-MeO-PCP was first synthesized in 1979 by Geneste and colleagues during an investigation into phencyclidine derivatives.citation needed This work followed earlier research by Maddox et al. in 1965, which had produced the related compounds 2-MeO-PCP and 4-MeO-PCP as part of an exploration into

Trip Reports

Loading related reports

Preparing section content

Still loading. Refresh if this section does not appear.

Legality

International

1961 Single Convention: 3-MeO-PCP is not individually scheduled.

1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances: 3-MeO-PCP is not individually scheduled.

1988 Convention: 3-MeO-PCP is not listed in precursor Tables I or II.

By Country

Illegal15
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Australia flagAustraliaProhibited (Schedule 9 analogue)
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal
Chile flagChileIllegal
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicSchedule I
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
Italy flagItalySchedule I
Netherlands flagNetherlandsSchedule I (Opiumwet)
Portugal flagPortugalIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted1
Brazil flagBrazilControlled substance

References

Source Pages

  1. Drug Users Bible: 3-MeO-PCP
  2. Erowid
  3. Erowid: 3-MeO-PCP Vault
  4. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  5. Isomer Design: Methoxetamine and analogues
  6. PsychonautWiki
  7. The Drug Classroom
  8. TripSit Factsheets
  9. TripSit Wiki
  10. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Intoxication with 3-MeO-PCP alone: A case report and literature review. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1097/md.000000000001829512
  2. WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. (20 October 2020). Critical Review Report: 3-Methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP). World Health Organization, 1-25. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/controlled-substances/43rd-ecdd/3-meo-pcp-finalreport-a.pdf?sfvrsn=8c513cd7_21234
  3. Arbouche N, Kintz P, Zagdoun C, Gheddar L, Raul JS, & Ameline A. (2021). Determination of 3-MeO-PCP in human blood and urine in a fatal intoxication case, with a specific focus on metabolites identification. Forensic Sciences Research, 7(3), 450-458. https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2021.19288211
  4. Michely JAA, Manier KM, Caspar AT, Brandt SD, Wallach J, & Maurer HH. (2017). New Psychoactive Substances 3-Methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) and 3-Methoxyrolicyclidine (3-MeO-PCPy): Metabolic Fate Elucidated with Rat Urine and Human Liver Preparations and their Detectability in Urine by GC-MS, LC-(High Resolution)-MSn and LC-(High Resolution)-MS/MS. Current Neuropharmacology, 15(5), 692-712. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x1466616101815171612345
  5. Maddox VH, Godefroi EF, & Parcell RF. (1965). The Synthesis of Phencyclidine and Other 1-Arylcyclohexylamines. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 8(2), 230–235. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm00326a0191
  6. Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 301.9 – Drug analogue definition. Federal Register of Legislation (Australia) (2007). https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2007C004081
  7. Austria Suchtgiftverordnung, Annex IV.1 (RIS consolidated PDF updated 10 July 2026). ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR40267455/NOR40267455.pdf1
  8. Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada – RDC nº 227, de 17/05/2018 (ANVISA, List F2). ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) (2018). https://anvisalegis.datalegis.net/action/ActionDatalegis.php?acao=detalharAto&tipo=RDC&numeroAto=00000227&seqAto=000&valorAno=2018&orgao=RDC/DC/ANVISA/MS&nomeTitulo=codigos&desItem=&desItemFim=&cod_modulo=134&cod_menu=16961
  9. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule I arylcyclohexylamine provision. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/section-sched95602.html1
  10. 1-(1-(3-Methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine | C18H27NO | CID 11778080. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/117780801

Further Reading

  1. Bakota et al. (2016) - Fatal Intoxication Involving 3-MeO-PCP
  2. KnowDrugs: 3-MeO-PCP
  3. Morris & Wallach (2014) - From PCP to MXE: comprehensive review
  4. WHO Critical Review Report: 3-Methoxyphencyclidine

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Lyrea avatar
    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

Times are UTCNewest first

4 August 2026

  1. Lyrea · Updated the article

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  7. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

All changes to this article · Site-wide recent changes

Suggest an edit

Spotted a mistake, an outdated claim, or something missing from the 3-MeO-PCP article? Send the editors a private note. Feedback lands in a moderation queue and is never shown on the site.

Wish to give generalised feedback? You can do so here.