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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.
PCP
Phencyclidine
Angel Dust, Sherm, Wet, Dust, Supergrass
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.citation needed It functions primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist. PCP is commonly associated with erratic and sometimes violent behavior, though such incidents likely reflect overdose cases rather than typical use. Caution is warranted due to reports of mania, psychosis, and habit-forming potential.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold~3 mg
Light3-5 mg
Moderate5-10 mg
Strong10-15 mg
Heavy15+ mg
Duration
Onset15-60 minutes
Come Up40-120 minutes
Peak1-4 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects12-24 hours
Total4-6 hours
Subjective Effects
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
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.
See also: Dissociative Intensity Scale, Subjective Effects of Dissociatives
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.citation needed 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. PCP additionally shows high affinity for the σ2 receptor and inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. 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).1
Pharmacokinetics
PCP is both water- and lipid-soluble, allowing rapid distribution throughout the body.citation needed It undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism, with approximately 90% metabolized via oxidative hydroxylation during the initial pass through the liver. The resulting metabolites are glucuronidated and excreted renally, while roughly 9% of an ingested dose is excreted unchanged in urine.
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.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
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
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Cross Tolerance
Other dissociatives
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModeratePCP 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.citation needed
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.citation needed
Musculoskeletal
Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is described as a not-unusual manifestation of PCP toxicity and may occur during intoxication.citation needed
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.citation needed A 2019 review found that 26% of those diagnosed with hallucinogen-induced psychosis (including PCP) later transitioned to a schizophrenia diagnosis.2 High doses have been associated with dangerous psychotic states, including paranoia, delusions, and suicidal impulses.citation needed 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.3 Certain antipsychotics such as phenothiazines may lower the seizure threshold and are not preferred for managing PCP-induced psychosis.citation needed
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
Illegal18
United StatesIllegalPCP 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.
GeorgiaIllegalO.C.G.A. § 16-13-25(a)(3)(W)49
Georgia classifies phencyclidine as a Schedule I controlled substance. This differs from the federal Schedule II classification and subjects PCP to Georgia's Schedule I control regime.
MaineIllegalPhencyclidine is a Schedule W drug under Maine’s drug schedules. Knowing or intentional possession of a Schedule W drug not otherwise specially classified is a Class D crime, so PCP is prohibited under Maine’s distinct schedule-and-offense framework rather than listed as federal Schedule II.
MassachusettsIllegalPhencyclidine is classified as a Class B controlled substance in Massachusetts rather than as Schedule II. Massachusetts separately prescribes the penalties for manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or possession with intent to distribute PCP under the Class B offense provision.
MississippiIllegalMiss. Code Ann. § 41-29-113(d)(32)54
Mississippi places phencyclidine in Schedule I rather than Schedule II. PCP is therefore prohibited under the state’s Schedule I control regime, which differs from the federal Schedule II classification.
OklahomaIllegalOkla. Stat. tit. 63, § 2-204(C)(26)55
Oklahoma classifies phencyclidine as a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. Unauthorized possession, distribution, and manufacture remain prohibited under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.
South DakotaIllegalS.D. Codified Laws § 34-20B-14(28)56
South Dakota classifies phencyclidine as a Schedule I controlled drug or substance. Unauthorized manufacture, distribution, and possession remain prohibited under South Dakota controlled-substances law.
ArgentinaIllegalDecreto 122/2026, modificatorio del Decreto 560/2019, Anexo I5
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.
DenmarkIllegal
FinlandIllegalValtioneuvoston asetus huumausaineina pidettävistä aineista, valmisteista ja kasveista (543/2008); Huumausainelaki (373/2008)1314
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.
FranceIllegalArrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants15
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.
GermanyIllegalBetäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG), Anlage I16
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.
IndiaIllegalNarcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Schedule17
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.
IrelandIllegalMisuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 173/2017), Schedule 218
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.
NetherlandsIllegalDutch Opium Act (Opiumwet), current consolidated List I effective 9 July 2026 onward, read with Articles 1(2), 2, 6, 10 and 13; historical text placement in Staatsblad 2003, 154 (text effective 17 March 2003); latest List I amendment in Staatsblad 2026, 179.222324252627282930
PCP is in List I under the Dutch Opium Law. Dutch legislation uses the spelling fencyclidine for phencyclidine/PCP. The current official consolidation is the 9 July 2026 state. Article 2 supplies the ordinary List I conduct prohibitions; Article 10 supplies the relevant List I penalties, while Article 11 provides separate penalties for List II offenses that do not govern List I conduct. Article 6 preserves a ministerial exemption route; scientific, forensic, governmental or other permitted handling is not necessarily criminal.
New ZealandIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1975, Schedule 131
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.
NorwayIllegalPhencyclidine 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.
PhilippinesIllegalThe 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.
RussiaIllegalRussia 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 AfricaIllegalDrugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, Schedule 2 Part III38
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.
South KoreaIllegalNarcotics Control Act, Enforcement Decree, Annex 439
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.
UkraineIllegalПостанова Кабінету Міністрів України від 6 травня 2000 р. № 770, Таблиця I, Список № 142
Ukraine lists phencyclidine in List No. 1 of Table I. That list is for especially dangerous narcotic drugs whose circulation is prohibited.
Controlled / restricted3
ColombiaRestrictedDecreto 120 de 1992, promulgating the Convention on Psychotropic Substances10
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.
JapanRestrictedJapan 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.
SwitzerlandRestrictedSwitzerland 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.
Prescription3
MexicoPrescription onlyLey General de Salud, artículo 245, fracción II21
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.
United Arab EmiratesPrescription onlyThe 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.
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Roth BL, Gibbons S, Arunotayanun W, Huang XP, Setola V, Treble R, & Iversen L. (2013). The Ketamine Analogue Methoxetamine and 3- and 4-Methoxy Analogues of Phencyclidine Are High Affinity and Selective Ligands for the Glutamate NMDA Receptor. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.00593341
- Murrie B, Lappin J, Large M, & Sara G. (2020). Transition of Substance-Induced, Brief, and Atypical Psychoses to Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7147575/1
- Bhatt M, Varshney R, & Soni S. (2023). Phencyclidine Toxicity. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507865/1
- The DAWN Report: Emergency Department Visits Involving Phencyclidine (PCP). Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), SAMHSA (2013). https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/DAWN143/DAWN143/sr143-emergency-phencyclidine-2013.htm1
- Decreto 122/2026, modificatorio del Decreto 560/2019, Anexo I. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/decreto-122-2026-423520/texto1
- Portaria SVS/MS n.º 344/1998, Lista A3. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/arquivos-noticias-anvisa/2568json-file-11
- Portaria SVS/MS n.º 344/1998, Lista A3. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19), Schedule I. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/section-sched95314.html1
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19), Schedule I. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/section-4.html1
- Decreto 120 de 1992, promulgating the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. suin-juriscol.gov.co (n.d.). https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?ruta=Decretos%2F10266611
Further Reading
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Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
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