(PCP, Angel Dust, Supergrass)
Biochemistry:
water-soluble
Production:
PCP may take the form of a tablet, capsule or colored powder. Most frequently sold on the streets as a powder or liquid it is abused by swallowing, snorting, smoking or injecting. The strong taste of PCP is masked by applying it to herbs such as the leaves of mint, oregano, parsley or tobacco. Sometimes PCP is applied to marijuana leaves to create a more potent effect.
Origin:
PCP or phencyclidine is a crystalline synthetic illegal substance that offers anesthetic properties. PCP was originally developed as a surgical anesthetic under the name Sernyl in the 1950’s but was never used in medicine due to bizarre and seriously negative side effects that included agitation, delusions and irrational thinking.
Use:
PCP may take the form of a tablet, capsule or colored powder. Most frequently sold on the streets as a powder or liquid it is abused by swallowing, snorting, smoking or injecting. The strong taste of PCP is masked by applying it to herbs such as the leaves of mint, oregano, parsley or tobacco. Sometimes PCP is applied to marijuana leaves to create a more potent effect.
PCP, a Schedule II controlled substance, produces its hallucinogenic effects as a NMDA receptor antagonist in the brain that blocks the activity of NMDA receptors in the brain and is significantly more dangerous than other categories of hallucinogens, such as ketamine (“Special K”), nitrous oxide (“whippets”), tileamine, and the cough-suppressant dextromethorphan. Used recreationally, the sedating effects of PCP, known on the streets as “angel dust,” “illy,” and “wet,” lead to a trance-like state during which people feel detached from their bodies and the environment around them. Many people who use PCP report feeling as if they are observing themselves from up above.
Effect:
The effect lasts for 2 to 6 hours.
The effects of long-term PCP addiction and abuse affect nearly every aspect of an individual’s life. Some of the effects of PCP use and abuse include:
- Feeling numb
- Lack of coordination
- Darting eye movements
- Auditory hallucinations
- Feeling invincible
- Feeling of no pain
- Willingness to harm self
- Lacks rational judgement
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Sense of impending doom
- Paranoia
- Extreme violence
- Intense aggression
- Psychosis
- Brain damage
- Suicidal thoughts
Detection in Urine:
2 to 3 days
Potential Dependence and Physical Harm:
Potential physical dependence: VERY HIGH
Potential psychic dependence: HIGH
Mood:
- Psychological cravings
- Continued use despite awareness that it is resulting in psychological problems
- Sedation or becoming overly calm
- Euphoria
- Mood swings
- Intense anger
Behavioral:
- Drug is used in higher doses or more frequently than intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down
- The individual spends a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from PHP
- Inability to fulfill major life responsibilities
- Important activities given up due to the use of PCP Loss of important relationships
- Unusual behavior results in individuals ostracizing the individual
- Social withdrawal due to odd perceptions of others and living in a dreamlike state which precludes the ability to interact
- Loss of relationships due to arguments over drug use
- Consequences of drug intoxication
- Physical fights
Detection:
Phencyclidine (PCP), and their derivatives “Angel Dust”, “illy”, “wet” can all be detected with NARCOTICS DETECTOR.