November 2023

Users of PCP are often brought to emergency rooms because of the drug’s severe psychological effects and violent or suicidal behaviors. Phencyclidine (PCP) is an illegal street drug that usually comes as a white powder, which can be dissolved in alcohol or water. There’s no medication available to reduce or block PCP’s effects on your body and overall health. But if you’re looking to cut back your PCP use, therapy may help. Experts have found that programs like cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy can be effective for substance addiction.

PCP’s Effects on Your Brain

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Scientists believe PCP blocks the normal actions of certain brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which may result in the feeling of euphoria. PCP also disrupts glutamate, which modulates pain, memory, and emotions.

Is PCP Illegal?

They can help you stick to your goals, avoid triggers, and keep you accountable during recovery. While you’re waiting for help to arrive, talk to the person in a calm manner but don’t get too close if they’re agitated. Don’t give any fluids or medications if you don’t have medical training. Most users (70%) inhale PCP (by smoking or snorting) how many steps in alcoholics anonymous because the effects are quick without the problems of using needles. Taking PCP (even in low doses) can take a toll on your memory. The behavior of a person using PCP can be dangerous to themselves and to others.

The combination of addiction and increasing tolerance makes it very hard to quit. People often dissolve the powder or liquid in alcohol or water. Or they might snort or smoke the powder or swallow it as tablets and capsules. Though withdrawal from PCP is not life threatening, it may require treatment from a trained healthcare professional. Sudden discontinuation of PCP can cause physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

1. Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach.
2. Ketamine (Ketalar), an anesthetic used for surgery and painful procedures was developed instead and is structurally similar to PCP.
3. It may interfere with several other substances and repeated use can cause tolerance and several long-term side effects.
4. HPPD causes you to experience flashbacks and hallucinations for a long time after substance use.

Top Search Terms for Substance Abuse and Addiction

This is especially true when you mix angel dust and substances that depress the central nervous system (CNS). The combo can cause your breathing to become dangerously slow and lead to respiratory arrest or coma. If PCP is smoked, snorted, or injected, you typically begin to feel the effects within 2 to 5 minutes. Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach.

Use is still at much lower levels than other drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines. PCP is well known for its primary action on the NMDA receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor.4744 As such, PCP is a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist. Angel dust was originally developed in 1926 and introduced as a general anesthetic in the 1950s. However, it was discontinued in 1967 and limited stages of sobriety alcohol to veterinary use due to its adverse side effects. PCP is a drug that can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, which often increase in intensity with higher dosages. Higher doses or frequent use can cause severe depression and anxiety, along with suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Addiction can also develop, as a person builds up a tolerance to the drug. Addiction and related mental health problems make it hard to function socially, financially, and professionally. Poor judgment and reasoning skills, psychosis, paranoia, and self-injurious or violent action may occur in those already prone to these behaviors. The person may develop a type of psychosis similar to that seen in schizophrenia. Interrupting these receptors allows the brain to disconnect from normal sensory experiences, or “reality.” In higher doses, however, it may also excite these receptors.

This means it acts on your brain (central nervous system) and changes your mood, behavior, and the way you relate to the world around you. Scientists think it blocks the normal actions of certain brain chemicals. When you take a higher dose of angel dust, it might cause you to have strange behaviors and postures, such as spasms that cause you to arch your back, head, and neck. You might experience beautiful visions, a sensation of floating, and feel fearless. Phencyclidine was originally developed in the 1950s as an anesthetic for surgery. It was discontinued for medical use because it caused patients to become agitated and hallucinate.

General Health

In a hospital, emergency room, or detention setting, PCP abusers may become irritated, violent or suicidal. They are not only dangerous to themselves, but to others. They should be kept in a calm setting, and not salvia trip explained left alone to protect them from suicidal tendencies or accidental injury.