1-1-phenylcyclohexyl piperidine

Where did PCP come from?

            PCP was developed in 1957 by the Parke-Davis Company as a general anesthetic and tested under the name of Sernyl.  In clinical trials PCP produced a desired effect as an anesthetic.  Unlike many of the common anesthetics still in use, PCP raised blood pressure and heart rate and strengthened respiration.  It also produced a number of postoperative problems as well.  When coming out of the anesthesia a large percentage of patients experienced “emergence phenomena” which produced delirium, delusions, visual disturbances and varying degrees of psychotic behavior.  Today it is this same phenomena that attracts recreational drug users to PCP and it’s chemical cousin, Ketamine.  After these trials, PCP was never marketed for human use.  In 1967, Parke-Davis did introduce PCP to the veterinary industry as an anesthetic for large animals.   In the late 1970’s the legitimate manufacture of PCP was discontinued.  All of the PCP that is seen on the streets today in manufactured in clandestine labs. 

What does PCP look like?

            Since PCP in manufactured in clandestine labs with a variety of different chemicals under less than ideal conditions the color and look of PCP can vary.  If all the impurities are removed during manufacture PCP is an odorless, bitter tasting white powder or clear liquid.  On the street, PCP will usually be a tan to brown powder or liquid and has a strong chemical odor.

How is PCP ingested?

            PCP can be smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed.  When smoked or injected, the user feels the effects in a minute. When snorted is takes approximately two minutes for the effects to begin.  If swallowed it usually takes between 20 to 60 minutes for the effects to be felt.  Smoking is the preferred method of use by approximately 75% of PCP users.  The most common method of smoking PCP is to soak a cigarette in liquid PCP.  “Shermans” are a popular brand of cigarette for smoking PCP as is has a dark colored paper that conceals the liquid discoloration. 

How is PCP packaged?

            PCP is commonly sold in laced cigarettes ready for smoking as well as in powder and liquid form.  PCP powder is usually packaged in aluminum foil or plastic bags.  Liquid PCP is usually found in small glass vials, or jars. 

What are the effects of PCP?

            PCP is a dissociatve anesthetic, meaning that at lower doses the user is aware of what is happening but does not feel involved.  They see themselves as an observer to their own actions.   As an anesthetic, PCP causes insensitivity to pain.

At low doses PCP produces the following physical effects:

Flushing                                    Numbness of extremities

Increased blood pressure            Shallow rapid breathing

Increased heart rate                    Slurred speech

Involuntary eye movement           Sweating

Loss of coordination. 

At higher doses, the physical effects are much more pronounced.  Those effects can include the following:

Blurred vision                             Decreased respiration                            Muscle rigidity

Catonic state                             Dizziness                                             Nausea

Coma                                        Fever                                                    Reduced sensitivity to pain

Decreased blood pressure           Hypothermia                                         Seizures

Decreased heart rage                  Increased salivation                               Vomiting

The mental effects of PCP vary from user to user and by the dosage.  Some of the common mental effects are:

Agitation                                    Euphoria

Altered sense of time                  Impaired judgment

Confusion                                  Loss of concept of size and distance

Delirium                                    Out of body sensations

Delusions                                  Schizophrenic-like behavior

                                Crystal PCP

                                  Brown PCP

                Liquid PCP & Sherman Cigarette