PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP, "angel dust")

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It is difficult to estimate the current use of phencyclidine in the United States because many individuals do not recognize that they have taken it. Other illicit substances (such as marijuana) can be laced with PCP without the user being aware of it.

A 1986 National Institute of Drug Abuse survey of high school seniors revealed that over 12% of the students had used hallucinogens and that many of these drugs probably contained PCP.

PCP use in the U.S. dates back to 1967 when it was sold as the "Peace Pill" in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. Its use never became very popular because it had a reputation for causing "bad trips."

PCP use grew during the mid-1970s primarily because of different packaging (sprinkling on leaves that are smoked) and marketing strategies. During the 1980s it was established as the most commonly used hallucinogen, with the majority of users aged 15-25.

Although phencyclidine was initially developed by a pharmaceutical company searching for a new anesthetic, it was not suitable for human use because of its psychotropic (mind-altering) side effects.

PCP is no longer manufactured for legitimate, legal purposes. Unfortunately it can be made rather easily and without great expense by anyone with a knowledge of organic chemistry. This makes it a prime drug for the illicit drug industry. It is available illegally as a white, crystalline powder that can be dissolved in either alcohol or water.

PCP may be administered in different ways. The onset of effects is related to the means of administration. If dissolved, PCP may be taken intravenously ("shot up") and its effects noted within seconds.

Sprinkled over dried parsley, oregano, or marijuana leaves, it can be smoked and effects noted within 2-5 minutes, peaking at 15-30 minutes. Taken orally, in pill form or mixed with food or beverages, PCP's effects are usually noted within 30 minutes and tend to peak at about 2-5 hours.

Lower doses of PCP typically produce euphoria (feelings of joy) and decreased inhibition similar to drunkenness. Mid-range doses cause numbness throughout the body with changes in perception that may result in extreme anxiety and violence.

Large doses may produce paranoia, auditory hallucinations, psychosis similar to schizophrenia. Massive doses, more commonly associated with ingesting the drug, may cause cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, muscle rigidity, acute kidney failure, and death. Because of the analgesic (pain-killing) properties of PCP, users who incur significant injuries may not feel any pain.

Ketamine, a compound related to PCP, has grown in popularity in recent years. It is commonly referred to as Special K.

HALLUCINOGENS

In addition to PCP, other commonly abused hallucinogens include LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin (mushrooms, "shrooms"), and peyote (a cactus plant containing the active ingredient mescaline).

The use of naturally occurring hallucinogens, specifically for religious rites, has been documented for centuries. Mushrooms containing psilocybin were used by the native people of Mexico and peyote use was common among southwestern Native Americans.

LSD is an extremely potent hallucinogen with only minuscule doses required to produce effects. Compared to LSD, psilocybin is 100-200 times less potent and mescaline (peyote) is about 4,000 times less potent.

Hallucinogens are commonly associated with extreme anxiety and absence of contact with reality at the height of the drug experience ("bad trips"). As a "flashback," these experiences can recur without further ingesting the drug. Such experiences typically occur during times of increased stress and tend to decrease in frequency and intensity if the individual stops taking the drugs.

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Reviewed: 05/2004