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Deschloroketamine
2'-Oxo-PCM
DCK, 2'-Oxo-PCM, O-PCM, DXE
Deschloroketamine is a dissociative research chemical of the arylcyclohexylamine class. Structurally analogous to ketamine but lacking the chlorine substitution on its phenyl ring, it produces dissociative, anesthetic, and hallucinogenic effects. It is reported to be more potent than ketamine with a longer duration of action.1 The substance is primarily available through online research chemical vendors as a designer drug.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Threshold~10 mg
Light10-20 mg
Moderate20-30 mg
Strong30-50 mg
Heavy50+ mg
Duration
Onset10-30 minutes
Come Up30-60 minutes
Peak1.5-2.5 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects3-24 hours
Total4-6 hours
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
Cognitive
DepersonalizationDerealizationConsciousness disconnectionMemory suppressionEgo deathThought decelerationImmersion enhancementInformation processing suppressionTime distortionEuphoriaIntrospectionDéjà vuConceptual thinkingCompulsive redosingAnxietyDisinhibitionAmnesiaCreativity enhancementLanguage suppressionExistential self-realization
Visual
Distortions
Auditory
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
In experimental receptor assays, deschloroketamine antagonized recombinant human NMDA receptors with activity comparable to ketamine; the S-enantiomer was more potent than the R-enantiomer. Rat experiments also found ketamine-like locomotor stimulation, place preference, and disruption of prepulse inhibition. These animal findings describe hazard-relevant experimental effects and must not be converted into human dose or effect predictions.2
Pharmacokinetics
Human pharmacokinetics remain uncharacterized. After subcutaneous administration in Wistar rats, deschloroketamine reached maximum brain levels at 30 minutes and remained high at 2 hours. Rat studies identified nordeschloroketamine, trans-dihydrodeschloroketamine, and cis- and trans-dihydronordeschloroketamine. Recombinant CYP2B6 can N-demethylate deschloroketamine in vitro, but this does not establish the dominant enzyme or clearance pathway in humans.234
Metabolitesnone documented yet
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.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Full Tolerance
With prolonged or repeated DCK use, tolerance can develop to multiple effects, so comparable responses may require higher doses over time.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance
Dissociatives
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateWith repeated use, deschloroketamine may present a moderate addiction risk, carries meaningful abuse potential, and may lead to psychological dependence. Reports also describe compulsive redosing during use.
Physical
LowWhen addiction develops, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur upon sudden cessation of use, though the severity and nature of physical withdrawal symptoms are not well-characterized.
Toxicity
Urinary System
Chronic frequent use may cause bladder and urinary tract problems similar to those seen with ketamine, including urinary frequency, urgency, pelvic and bladder pain, hematuria, and incontinence; these effects appear to occur to a lesser extent than with ketamine and can be avoided by limiting use to occasional rather than daily or weekly consumption.
Antibiotic Function
Possible
Antibacterial properties have been speculated but only minimally investigated. If real, prolonged frequent use could potentially disrupt gut microbiome or affect immune function, though this has not been confirmed as a concern at reasonable low-frequency use levels.
Psychosis Risk
Dissociatives including DCK carry a risk of adverse psychological reactions such as mania, hypomania, delusions, and confusion. Mania is listed as a potential acute cognitive effect. Risk may be elevated when combined with stimulants.
History & Culture
Discovery and Synthesis
Deschloroketamine was first described in a 1966 patent filed by Calvin Stevens at Parke-Davis in Michigan. Stevens, who is also credited with the synthesis of ketamine and phencyclidine, outlined the preparation methods for this structurally related
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Legality
By Country
United StatesUncontrolled
Not a scheduled substance at the federal level as of July 2017. However, it may be subject to prosecution under the Federal Analogue Act if sold for human consumption due to its structural similarity to ketamine.
CanadaControlled
Prohibited under a general ban on arylcyclohexylamines. Production, distribution, and possession are illegal.
GermanyNpSG (Controlled)
Controlled under the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (New Psychoactive Substances Act) since July 18, 2019. Production and import with intent to distribute, administration to others, and trading are criminal offenses. Possession is prohibited but not subject to criminal penalties.
LatviaIllegal
Prohibited substance under Latvian controlled substances laws.
SwitzerlandControlled (Verzeichnis E)
Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis E of the Swiss narcotics scheduling system.
AustriaIllegal
Controlled under the Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung (NPSV), Austria's new psychoactive substances regulation.
Czech RepublicLegal
Not currently scheduled or controlled under Czech drug legislation. Possession and use are not criminalized.
ItalyIllegal
Classified as an illegal substance under Italian drug control legislation.
NetherlandsLegal (under review)
Remains unscheduled as of the available information, though regulatory review was scheduled with a plenary hearing set for January 21, 2025.
United KingdomClass B
In the United Kingdom, DCK is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The arylcyclohexylamine generic clause applies because DCK falls within the N-alkyl derivative relationship to 2-amino-2-phenylcyclohexanone; this coverage was added by S.I. 2013/239, effective February 26, 2013. Possession, manufacture, supply, and import are prohibited.
References
Citations
- Frison G, Zamengo L, Zancanaro F, Tisato F, & Traldi P. (2016-01-15). Characterization of the designer drug deschloroketamine (2-methylamino-2-phenylcyclohexanone) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, multistage mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 30(1), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.74251
- Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and behavioural studies of deschloroketamine in Wistar rats. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.1568012
- Synthesis and identification of deschloroketamine metabolites in rats’ urine and a quantification method for deschloroketamine and metabolites in rats’ serum and brain tissue using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.27261
- Halogen Substitution Influences Ketamine Metabolism by Cytochrome P450 2B6: In Vitro and Computational Approaches. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b012141
- Aminoketones and methods for their production. Google Patents (1966-05-31). https://patents.google.com/patent/US3254124/en1
- Use of 2-methylamino-2-phenylcyclohexanone for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, virus or protozoan infections as well as for immunomodulation. Google Patents (1998-09-22). https://patents.google.com/patent/US5811464/en1
- 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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