PCP

Phencyclidine

Angel Dust, Sherm, Wet, Dust, Supergrass

Psychoactive Class

Chemical Class

PCP is a dissociative anesthetic of the arylcyclohexylamine class, originally introduced as a medical anesthetic roughly sixty years ago, though most of its use has since occurred outside clinical settings.¹ It functions primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist.¹² PCP is commonly associated with erratic and sometimes violent behavior, though such incidents likely reflect overdose cases rather than typical use.¹ Caution is warranted due to reports of mania, psychosis, and habit-forming potential.³⁴

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Threshold~3 mg

Light3-5 mg

Moderate5-10 mg

Strong10-15 mg

Heavy15+ mg

Duration

Onset15-60 minutes

Peak1-4 hours

After Effects12-24 hours

Total4-6 hours

Subjective Effects

PCP produces a dissociative anesthetic state combining detachment from the body and surroundings with physical euphoria and a degree of stimulation uncommon among dissociatives. It is notably more likely than related dissociatives to produce psychotic reactions; in clinical studies of anesthetic doses, agitation or hallucinations occurred in up to half of patients, and lasting mental disturbances in roughly a sixth. High doses carry a real, though not typical, risk of dangerous psychotic and manic states, which underlie the drug's reputation for erratic and occasionally violent behavior in overdose.

Physical

The body feels numbed and anesthetized, with pronounced loss of motor coordination that can render walking difficult. Unlike most dissociatives, a stimulating physical energy is often present alongside the sedating and ataxic effects, which are strongly potentiated by depressants.

Dissociative

Cognitive

The headspace is dissociated and can be euphoric and confident, but is unusually prone to tipping into agitation, delusional thinking, mania, or outright psychosis, particularly at high doses. Caution is strongly recommended given the volume of reports of manic episodes and related psychosis.

Emotional

Psychological

PCP is more likely to produce psychotic reactions than other dissociatives, and dangerous psychotic states are possible at high doses.

Visual

Hallucinatory States

Hallucinations are considerably more common on PCP than on most other dissociatives, occurring in up to 50% of patients given anesthetic doses in clinical studies.

Tactile

Touch is progressively suppressed and anesthetized as the dissociative state deepens.

Reagent Testing

Loading reagent data

Expected colorimetric results are being prepared.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

PCP acts primarily as a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, binding to a site within the ion channel that is accessible only when the channel has been opened by a coagonist such as glycine.⁵ It also functions as a potent partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors (specifically the high-affinity state) and inhibits dopamine reuptake, leading to increased extracellular dopamine levels.⁶⁷ PCP additionally shows high affinity for the σ2 receptor and inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.⁸ Binding data indicate high selectivity for the NMDA receptor (Ki = 59 nM at the dizocilpine site) and σ2 receptor (Ki = 136 nM), with affinity exceeding 10,000 nM at most other assayed targets aside from the serotonin transporter (Ki = 2,234 nM).⁸

Pharmacokinetics

PCP is both water- and lipid-soluble, allowing rapid distribution throughout the body.⁹ It undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism, with approximately 90% metabolized via oxidative hydroxylation during the initial pass through the liver.¹⁰ The resulting metabolites are glucuronidated and excreted renally, while roughly 9% of an ingested dose is excreted unchanged in urine.⁹

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.

2C-T-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesAMTDXMGHB/GBLMAOIsTramadol

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

AlcoholAmphetaminesBenzodiazepinesCocaineDOx compoundsMDMASSRIs

Caution

Use caution

These 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.

CaffeineMXEOpioids

TripSit

Tolerance

Cross Tolerance

Other dissociatives

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

PCP is classified as habit-forming and is known to cause addiction with excessive use. It induces ΔFosB expression in the nucleus accumbens and has rewarding and reinforcing effects mediated in part by NMDA receptor blockade in dopaminergic pathways.¹¹

Toxicity

Central Nervous System

Neurotoxicity is a concern with PCP, particularly at high doses and with frequent use, though the clinical significance in humans remains controversial. Animal studies have shown that high doses of NMDA receptor antagonists can cause reversible vacuoles in brain tissue (Olney's lesions), but these findings are from non-human animals and may not directly apply to humans.¹²

Musculoskeletal

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is described as a not-unusual manifestation of PCP toxicity and may occur during intoxication.¹⁴

Psychosis Risk

PCP is more likely to produce psychosis compared to other dissociatives. Studies found agitation or hallucinations in up to 50% of patients at anesthetic doses, with greater psychiatric issues in approximately 17%. Recreational doses occasionally induce psychotic states with emotional and cognitive impairment resembling schizophrenic episodes.¹⁴ A 2019 review found that 26% of those diagnosed with hallucinogen-induced psychosis (including PCP) later transitioned to a schizophrenia diagnosis.¹⁵ High doses have been associated with dangerous psychotic states, including paranoia, delusions, and suicidal impulses.¹⁴ Flashbacks may occur despite stopping usage.

Seizure Risk

High doses and overdoses may lead to convulsions and seizures. Benzodiazepines are the drugs of choice for controlling seizures when present during PCP intoxication.¹⁴² Certain antipsychotics such as phenothiazines may lower the seizure threshold and are not preferred for managing PCP-induced psychosis.¹⁴

History & Culture

Discovery and Medical Development

Phencyclidine was first synthesized in 1926 by German chemist Arthur Kötz and his student Paul Merkel during research involving Grignard reactions with piperidinocyclohexancarbonitrile compounds. The compound remained largely unexplored until 1956, when chemist H. Victor Maddox independently…

Legality

International

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971: scheduled

By Country

United StatesIllegalSchedule II

21 CFR § 1308.12, Schedule II⁵²¹

PCP is Schedule II, has ACSCN 7471, and human and veterinary uses were discontinued in 1965 and 1978.

By state

Across the 50 states, D.C., and the permanent territories, most jurisdictions schedule phencyclidine consistently with its federal Schedule II status, though a handful of states diverge — most placing it in their own Schedule I or an equivalent most-restrictive category.

Georgia

IllegalSchedule I controlled substance

Maine

IllegalSchedule W drug

Massachusetts

IllegalClass B controlled substance

Mississippi

IllegalSchedule I controlled substance

Oklahoma

IllegalSchedule I

South Dakota

IllegalSchedule I controlled drug or substance

BrazilPrescription onlyLista A3

Portaria SVS/MS n.º 344/1998, Lista A3²⁰²¹

Brazil lists fenciclidina in Lista A3, the list of psychotropic substances subject to a type A prescription notification. The controlled-substances regime is maintained and updated by Anvisa under Portaria SVS/MS n.º 344/1998.

ColombiaRestrictedLista II

Decreto 120 de 1992, promulgating the Convention on Psychotropic Substances²⁴

Colombia promulgated the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances through Decree 120 of 1992. The promulgated Schedule II lists fenciclidina as 1-(1-fenilciclohexil)-piperidina and includes its salts where possible.

FinlandIllegalControlled narcotic

Valtioneuvoston asetus huumausaineina pidettävistä aineista, valmisteista ja kasveista (543/2008); Huumausainelaki (373/2008)²⁷²⁸

Finland’s Government Decree lists phencyclidine (PCP) as a narcotic substance. The Narcotics Act prohibits its production, manufacture, import, export, transport, distribution, handling, possession and use except where legislation specifically permits medical, research, control or industrial use.

GermanyIllegalAnlage I

Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG), Anlage I³⁰

Phencyclidine is listed in Anlage I to Germany’s Narcotic Drugs Act. Anlage I is the schedule of non-marketable narcotic drugs, so ordinary commercial circulation is not permitted.

IrelandIllegalSchedule 2

Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 173/2017), Schedule 2³²

Phencyclidine is listed in Schedule 2 of Ireland’s Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017. The Regulations restrict the production, supply, importation and exportation of scheduled drugs, subject to specified medical and professional exceptions.

MexicoPrescription onlyFracción II

Ley General de Salud, artículo 245, fracción II³⁵

Mexico lists fenciclidina in article 245, fraction II, of the General Health Law. That category comprises substances with therapeutic value that constitute a serious public-health problem and are subject to Mexico’s psychotropic-substance control regime.

New ZealandIllegalClass A

Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, Schedule 1³⁶

New Zealand lists phencyclidine in Schedule 1 as a Class A controlled drug. The Misuse of Drugs Act restricts dealings in Class A controlled drugs and criminalizes unauthorized possession, supply, manufacture and import or export.

PhilippinesIllegalSchedule II

Republic Act No. 9165, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Schedule II³⁹⁴⁰

The Philippines lists phencyclidine (PCP) in Schedule II under Republic Act No. 9165. The Act treats possession, sale, administration, delivery, manufacture, importation and use of dangerous drugs as criminally regulated conduct unless specifically authorized.

South AfricaIllegalSchedule 2 Part III

Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, Schedule 2 Part III⁴³

South Africa lists phencyclidine and specified congeners in Part III of Schedule 2 to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. The schedule classifies them as undesirable dependence-producing substances and includes their isomers, salts, preparations and mixtures unless expressly excluded.

SwitzerlandRestrictedVerzeichnis a

Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung (BetmVV-EDI), Verzeichnis a⁴⁵⁴⁶

Switzerland lists phencyclidine (PCP) in Verzeichnis a of the EDI ordinance on narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors and auxiliary chemicals. Verzeichnis a is the schedule of controlled narcotics and psychotropic substances; it is distinct from the ordinance’s separate prohibited-substances list.

United Arab EmiratesPrescription onlySchedule 6

Federal Decree-Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Schedule 6⁴⁸⁴⁹

The United Arab Emirates lists phencyclidine (PCP) in Schedule 6 of the Federal Decree-Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Handling of Schedule 6 psychotropic substances is prohibited except in licensed circumstances, and personal use requires medical treatment and a prescription.

ArgentinaIllegalEstupefaciente

Decreto 122/2026, modificatorio del Decreto 560/2019, Anexo I¹⁹

Argentina’s Decree 122/2026 updates the list of individual substances treated as estupefacientes under article 77 of the Criminal Code. The decree records the addition of two phencyclidine substances to the criminal-control list.

CanadaIllegalSchedule I

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19), Schedule I²²²³

PCP is in Schedule I under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

DenmarkIllegalList B

Bekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer (BEK nr 405 af 26/03/2026)²⁵²⁶

Phencyclidine is included in Denmark’s List B of euphoriant substances. List B substances may only be used for medical and scientific purposes, and other activity with them requires the permissions specified by the Order.

FranceIllegalStupéfiant

Arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants²⁹

France classifies phencyclidine as a narcotic substance under the arrêté of 22 February 1990. The classification also applies to the substance’s salts where they can exist.

IndiaIllegalPsychotropic substance

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Schedule³¹

India lists phencyclidine in the Schedule to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The Act prohibits possession, manufacture, transport, import, export and use of psychotropic substances except for medical or scientific purposes and in the manner authorized by the Act and rules.

JapanRestrictedNarcotic

Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act; Controlled Substances List³³³⁴

Japan classifies phencyclidine (PCP) as a narcotic under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. The Ministry of Health list identifies it with category N, meaning narcotic, and the Act regulates narcotics through licensing, restrictions and criminal penalties.

NetherlandsList ICitation needed

PCP is in List I under the Dutch Opium Law.

NorwayIllegalP II

Forskrift om narkotika (narkotikaforskriften) (FOR-2013-02-14-199)³⁷³⁸

Phencyclidine is listed as a P II psychotropic substance in Norway’s Narkotikalisten and is expressly subject to section 5. Section 5 prohibits manufacture, acquisition, sale, import, export, storage, possession and use, subject to ministerial exceptions for medical or scientific need.

RussiaIllegalСписок I

Постановление Правительства Российской Федерации от 30 июня 1998 г. № 681, Список I⁴¹⁴²

Russia lists phencyclidine as a narcotic drug in List I of the controlled-substances schedule. List I covers narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances whose circulation is prohibited under Russian law and Russia’s international treaties.

South KoreaIllegalPsychotropic drug

Narcotics Control Act, Enforcement Decree, Annex 4⁴⁴

South Korea lists phencyclidine in Annex 4 to the Enforcement Decree of the Narcotics Control Act as a psychotropic drug. Handling of psychotropic drugs is prohibited except as authorized under the Act.

UkraineIllegalСписок № 1

Постанова Кабінету Міністрів України від 6 травня 2000 р. № 770, Таблиця I, Список № 1⁴⁷

Ukraine lists phencyclidine in List No. 1 of Table I. That list is for especially dangerous narcotic drugs whose circulation is prohibited.

United KingdomIllegalClass A

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 Part I⁵⁰⁵¹

PCP is a Class A substance in the UK.

References

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Citations

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PCP

Phencyclidine

Angel Dust, Sherm, Wet, Dust, Supergrass

Psychoactive Class

Dissociative Hallucinogen

Chemical Class

Arylcyclohexylamine

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Threshold~3 mg

Light3-5 mg

Moderate5-10 mg

Strong10-15 mg

Heavy15+ mg

Duration

Onset15-60 minutes

Peak1-4 hours

After Effects12-24 hours

Total4-6 hours

Subjective Effects

Physical

Dissociative

Cognitive

Emotional

Psychological

PCP is more likely to produce psychotic reactions than other dissociatives, and dangerous psychotic states are possible at high doses.

Visual

Hallucinatory States

Hallucinations are considerably more common on PCP than on most other dissociatives, occurring in up to 50% of patients given anesthetic doses in clinical studies.

Tactile

Touch is progressively suppressed and anesthetized as the dissociative state deepens.

Reagent Testing

Loading reagent data

Expected colorimetric results are being prepared.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

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.

2C-T-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesAMTDXMGHB/GBLMAOIsTramadol

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

AlcoholAmphetaminesBenzodiazepinesCocaineDOx compoundsMDMASSRIs

Caution

Use caution

CaffeineMXEOpioids

TripSit

Tolerance

Cross Tolerance

Other dissociatives

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

Toxicity

Central Nervous System

Musculoskeletal

Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is described as a not-unusual manifestation of PCP toxicity and may occur during intoxication.¹⁴

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Discovery and Medical Development

Legality

International

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971: scheduled

By Country

United StatesIllegalSchedule II

21 CFR § 1308.12, Schedule II⁵²¹

PCP is Schedule II, has ACSCN 7471, and human and veterinary uses were discontinued in 1965 and 1978.

By state

Georgia

IllegalSchedule I controlled substance

Maine

IllegalSchedule W drug

Massachusetts

IllegalClass B controlled substance

Mississippi

IllegalSchedule I controlled substance

Oklahoma

IllegalSchedule I

South Dakota

IllegalSchedule I controlled drug or substance

BrazilPrescription onlyLista A3

Portaria SVS/MS n.º 344/1998, Lista A3²⁰²¹

ColombiaRestrictedLista II

Decreto 120 de 1992, promulgating the Convention on Psychotropic Substances²⁴

FinlandIllegalControlled narcotic

Valtioneuvoston asetus huumausaineina pidettävistä aineista, valmisteista ja kasveista (543/2008); Huumausainelaki (373/2008)²⁷²⁸

GermanyIllegalAnlage I

Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG), Anlage I³⁰

Phencyclidine is listed in Anlage I to Germany’s Narcotic Drugs Act. Anlage I is the schedule of non-marketable narcotic drugs, so ordinary commercial circulation is not permitted.

IrelandIllegalSchedule 2

Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 173/2017), Schedule 2³²

MexicoPrescription onlyFracción II

Ley General de Salud, artículo 245, fracción II³⁵

New ZealandIllegalClass A

Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, Schedule 1³⁶

PhilippinesIllegalSchedule II

Republic Act No. 9165, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Schedule II³⁹⁴⁰

South AfricaIllegalSchedule 2 Part III

Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, Schedule 2 Part III⁴³

SwitzerlandRestrictedVerzeichnis a

Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung (BetmVV-EDI), Verzeichnis a⁴⁵⁴⁶

United Arab EmiratesPrescription onlySchedule 6

Federal Decree-Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Schedule 6⁴⁸⁴⁹

ArgentinaIllegalEstupefaciente

Decreto 122/2026, modificatorio del Decreto 560/2019, Anexo I¹⁹

CanadaIllegalSchedule I

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19), Schedule I²²²³

PCP is in Schedule I under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

DenmarkIllegalList B

Bekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer (BEK nr 405 af 26/03/2026)²⁵²⁶

FranceIllegalStupéfiant

Arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants²⁹

France classifies phencyclidine as a narcotic substance under the arrêté of 22 February 1990. The classification also applies to the substance’s salts where they can exist.

IndiaIllegalPsychotropic substance

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Schedule³¹

JapanRestrictedNarcotic

Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act; Controlled Substances List³³³⁴

NetherlandsList ICitation needed

PCP is in List I under the Dutch Opium Law.

NorwayIllegalP II

Forskrift om narkotika (narkotikaforskriften) (FOR-2013-02-14-199)³⁷³⁸

RussiaIllegalСписок I

Постановление Правительства Российской Федерации от 30 июня 1998 г. № 681, Список I⁴¹⁴²

South KoreaIllegalPsychotropic drug

Narcotics Control Act, Enforcement Decree, Annex 4⁴⁴

UkraineIllegalСписок № 1

Постанова Кабінету Міністрів України від 6 травня 2000 р. № 770, Таблиця I, Список № 1⁴⁷

Ukraine lists phencyclidine in List No. 1 of Table I. That list is for especially dangerous narcotic drugs whose circulation is prohibited.

United KingdomIllegalClass A

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 Part I⁵⁰⁵¹

PCP is a Class A substance in the UK.

References

Source Pages

Citations

Suggest an edit

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

PCP

Contents

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Duration

Subjective Effects

Physical

Dissociative

Cognitive

Emotional

Psychological

Visual

Hallucinatory States

Tactile

Reagent Testing

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Interactions

Dangerous

Unsafe

Caution

Tolerance

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Toxicity

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Discovery and Medical Development

Legality

International

By Country

References

Source Pages

Citations

Further Reading

Suggest an edit

PCP

Contents

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Duration

Subjective Effects

Physical

Dissociative

Cognitive

Emotional

Psychological

Visual

Hallucinatory States

Tactile

Reagent Testing

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Interactions

Dangerous

Unsafe

Caution

Tolerance

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Toxicity

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Discovery and Medical Development

Legality

International

By Country

References

Source Pages

Citations

Further Reading

Suggest an edit