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