PCP was originally used as an anaesthetic, but was quickly discontinued because the side effects included delirium, hallucinations, and psychosis. [1] Its popularity as a recreational drug has varied over time, but just over 2% of the US population has used it at some point in their lives. [2]
- Phencyclidine (PCP) is an anaesthetic drug that is used recreationally for its hallucinogenic and euphoric properties
- PCP is a synthetic drug produced exclusively in covert labs. The quality of the drug depends heavily on the care and ability of those producing it
- PCP has a complicated effect on the body, acting as both a depressant and a stimulant. This can make it difficult to identify
What is PCP chemically?
PCP, also known as 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine, is a synthetic drug originally used as an anesthetic. Its molecular formula is C17H25N. PCP is available as a white powder, pressed into tablet form, as crystals, or as a liquid. Most PCP sold contains other substances, which can change the color of the powder to beige or brown.
PCP can be injected, inhaled (smoked or snorted), or ingested (swallowed). Most PCP is smoked, and cigarettes containing marijuana are commonly dipped in liquid PCP and subsequently smoked.
Chemical class & mechanism of action
PCP is a dissociative anaesthetic and hallucinogen. It is one of the piperidines, which are found in many medicinal drugs. [3] These are typically soluble in water and fats, meaning that they can travel easily throughout the body. Some piperidines occur naturally, for example in plants, while others, including PCP, are manufactured. [4]
PCP binds to MDMA receptors in the brain and central nervous system (CNS). [5] It also interacts with norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin reuptake and binds to opioid receptors. [6] Its effects are complicated. For example, it increases glutamate release at some receptors but simultaneously reduces the effect of glutamate at other receptors.
How is PCP made?
PCP is entirely synthetic, meaning it is manufactured rather than extracted from anything in nature. PCP manufacture requires a skilled chemist, industrial chemicals, and a well-equipped laboratory space.
There are several methods to create PCP, each producing different amounts of PCP end-product and carrying different levels of risk. Almost all methods for creating PCP require multiple steps, creating an intermediate product that is then turned into PCP. [7] PCP is produced in liquid form, but can be crystallized and crushed into powder or formed into tablets.
Other substances that are chemically similar to PCP, known as PCP analogs, can be created using the same methods with slightly different ingredients.
What chemicals make up PCP?
PCP can be produced from a variety of industrial chemicals, primarily piperidine, cyclohexanone, and organometallic reagents. [11][12] Piperidine and cyclohexanone are used as solvents, food additives, or added to rubber, resins, or nylon. Organometallic reagents used for making PCP are usually created from magnesium or lithium.
Risks of PCP manufacturing
PCP manufacture is illegal, and those producing it risk arrest and prosecution. It is also potentially hazardous, and errors in the manufacturing process can be extremely dangerous.
When not prepared correctly, PCP can contain high levels of a toxic intermediate product called PCC, which is harmful to users and those manufacturing it. PCC can cause psychosis, dizziness, vomiting, and skin conditions. When combined with PCP, it can become lethal. [8]
Some of the chemicals involved in the manufacture of PCP are dangerous and highly reactive. Magnesium is extremely flammable, and fires involving magnesium are difficult to put out. Some PCP manufacturing methods use lithium, which can explode in contact with water and create fires that are hard to extinguish. As a result, fires in PCP labs can last for several days. [9] Additionally, hydrogen cyanide gas can be created following errors in the manufacturing process, which can be fatal.
Risks and long-term effects from its chemical nature
The chemical structure of PCP can create hallucination, psychosis, and dissociation. The effects are so similar to the symptoms of schizophrenia that it has been used to study potential causes and mechanisms for the disorder. [10] It also has powerful effects on the body and behavior.
The effects of PCP on the body are complicated because it acts as both a stimulant and a depressant on the CNS. [11] It is an anaesthetic, meaning that it can sedate users and even cause them to lose consciousness. Unlike most anaesthetics, however, it doesn’t slow respiration, breathing, blood pressure, or cardiac activity. [6] This stimulant effect reduces the risk of someone’s heart or breathing stopping after taking PCP. The majority of PCP-related deaths are due to things people did after taking PCP, rather than a direct result of overdose.
The stimulant effect of PCP can create other risks. People using PCP may have severely increased blood pressure (hypertension), which can sometimes cause an intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain). [6] This can be fatal. PCP is also a cardiac irritant, causing the heart to beat too fast or with an irregular rhythm. It can cause vasospasm, where the arteries become tight, preventing blood from reaching some areas of the body. [6]
PCP is fat-soluble, meaning that it can be stored in fat (lipids) and re-released days (or even months) after the initial effects have worn off. [11] The brain, in particular, has a high concentration of fat that encourages PCP storage. [6] PCP released from lipids in the brain can quickly re-create the effects of taking the drug.
As a powerful analgesic, PCP dramatically reduces the amount of pain people experience. Contrary to popular belief, PCP does not make people physically stronger, but it can remove the pain signals that limit the use of strength. In some cases, this can lead them to push their bodies beyond normal limits, leading to long-term injuries or harm. [1]
PCP is primarily removed from the body by the liver, with 10% being removed by the kidneys. [11] Anyone with liver or kidney problems should be especially cautious if using PCP.
Clinical implications of knowing PCP makeup
The chemical structure of PCP makes it highly attracted to fats, including in the brain.[8] Blood tests will only show doctors how much PCP is in a patient’s blood. The concentration in their brain can be up to nine times higher than this. [6] Many hospitals also don’t have the ability to test for PCP in the blood. [11] Urine tests are more commonly available, but can be less helpful when someone requires emergency treatment following PCP use.
The chemical composition of PCP also makes it possible to create substances that are chemically very similar and have similar effects. These PCP analogs were used to circumvent early drug legislation, evade detection, create more potent effects, or last longer. [6][12] These are now banned under US drug legislation and commonly detected in drug tests, but they can create uncertainty for users who may unknowingly be using a different drug than the one they had expected.
Why it matters in addiction & harm reduction
Understanding PCP as a synthetic product created in illicit labs is essential for anyone trying to minimize the risks of PCP use. Each batch of PCP may use different ingredients, a different process, or be prepared by someone with a different level of skill. It might even be a PCP analog, with slightly different effects. This makes it especially important to use a small test dose after purchasing a new supply.
The complex, and sometimes contradictory, effects of PCP can make it difficult to know what to expect from PCP use and to recognize problems. The stimulant effects of PCP may mask some signs of overdose, making it harder to recognize when someone is at risk of serious harm. The schizophrenia-like effects can also prevent users from realizing that they need help.
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