Phencyclidine

Shane Dooley

Names

• Chemical Name: 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperdine• Brand Name: Sernyl• Street Names: PCP, angel dust, hog, lovely, myriad,

wack, embalming fluid, rocket fuel, crystal, squeeze– When combined with marijuana it is known as killer joints

or sherms– When combined with crack cocaine it is known as space

base

Action of the Drug• Phencyclidine, is a central nervous system excitant agent having

anesthetic, analgesic, and hallucinogenic properties

• A synthetic drug, white crystalline powder that can be easily dissolved in water or alcohol. It has been sold in a variety of tablets, capsules, colored powders, liquids, or pastes

• It has a distinctive bitter chemical taste• Can be snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed and is most commonly

sold as a powder or liquid and applied to a leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano, tobacco, or marijuana

Medical Use • Phencyclidine was developed in

the 1950’s under the drug name Sernyl. The drug was developed and used as an anesthetic on humans in 1957 after studies on laboratory animals

• The drug did not favor very well because of its intense side effects

• In 1967 the use of phencyclidine was restricted to “veterinary use only” and it became the most popular animal tranquilizer

• It has a Schedule II rating

Physiological Effects• Rise in blood pressure and

heart rate• Flushing• Profuse sweating• Generalized numbness of

extremities

• Grimacing facial expressions• Loss of muscular coordination• Nystagmus (involuntary eye

movement)• Anesthesia

Psychological Effects

• Euphoria• Calmness• Feelings of strength and

invulnerability• Lethargy• Disorientation• Disordered thinking• Illusions and Hallucinations• Agitation• Combativeness or violence• Bizarre Behavior

Short and Long Term Effects

• Short term effects include each of the physiological effects as well as the psychological effects

• The effects that PCP has on one person is based on the dose

• Some other long term effects include dependence, craving, and compulsive PCP-seeking behavior

• Depression and weight loss are also possible for people who have taken PCP for a long time

• Death has been an effect, although, death more often results from accidental injury or suicide during PCP intoxication

Bibliography• http://www.drugs.com/pcp.html• http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/pcp• http://www.egetgoing.com/drug_rehab/pcp_phencyclidene.asp• http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/pcp/effects.html• http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html• http://news.narconon.org/history-drug-addiction-pcp-america/