PCP, short for phencyclidine, was last used commercially in the U.S. in 1978. However, it’s still available illicitly, and people are still using the drug. While angel dust isn’t nearly as popular as it once was, the risks of using it at all are still just as real.
What is angel dust?
Phencyclidine is also known as “angel dust,” “boat,” “hog,” “embalming fluid,” and other names. It was initially developed as an anesthetic for surgery but has since been discontinued due to its severe side effects.
Angel dust is a powerful dissociative anesthetic that can make people who use it feel detached from their bodies. Because of the effects it has on the mind, the drug is classified as a hallucinogen. It’s classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it poses a high risk for abuse and can lead to dependence. It’s illegal for the general population to make, take, or sell this drug.
PCP use has declined
The number of people who use angel dust is much lower than in the 1960s and 1970s. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, though, about 8.8 million Americans over the age of 12 used hallucinogens, including PCP. Phencyclidine was the least popular hallucinogen on the survey, behind LSD and ecstasy.
Even though fewer people are using angel dust, some might come in contact with the drug if they use other drugs. Sometimes, PCP is cut into meth, LSD, and other drugs because it is so cheap to produce illicitly.
How people use angel dust
PCP can be used in several different forms. Pills and powders can be ingested or crushed and smoked or snorted. Sometimes, PCP is available in liquid form, which people can inject or dip cigarettes or marijuana joints into. Cigarettes or joints dipped in PCP are sometimes called “happy sticks” or “supergrass.”
Is PCP addictive?
Yes, PCP is addictive. Like other drugs, people can become dependent on PCP and have withdrawal symptoms and cravings when they don’t take the drug. They feel the urge to continue using angel dust even when they experience negative side effects on their health, relationships, and other areas of life.
How do people on PCP act?
Phencyclidine stopped being used clinically because of its negative effects, including psychosis and dysphoria. But the drug’s hallucinogenic effects—in addition to the reported sense of being invincible or strong—are exactly why it became so popular recreationally. Many people who take this drug do so to escape a reality that they feel is worse. These effects typically only last for a few hours, though:
- Lethargy or sluggishness
- A feeling of invincibility or inflated strength
- Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
- Feeling detached from physical surroundings
- Violence or suicidal thoughts/behaviors
Furthermore, the angel dust high manifests differently in different people. Someone taking PCP may experience a good trip or a bad trip, and there’s no way to influence the outcome.
The risk of overdose
Overdose is a serious concern for people who use PCP. For some, the drug can trigger severe psychotic symptoms that last after the drug wears off. Seizures and coma can result from high doses of the drug. Additionally, because the drug can lead to violence and suicidal thoughts/behaviors—especially at high doses—it can cause death or serious injury.
How PCP abuse affects your mental health
Like many other substances, angel dust does have the potential to lead to mental health issues. People with a history of mental illness should be cautious, as PCP can worsen preexisting conditions. Some of the mental health issues that could potentially be caused by PCP use include anxiety and depression. Even short-term or low-dose use of PCP can cause severe mental health symptoms, such as:
- Psychosis
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
Long-term use of PCP, or taking PCP at too high a dosage, can also cause permanent damage to your brain. These effects can be so severe that they last a lifetime, even if you stop taking the drug.
Symptoms of PCP use
Over time, PCP use can result in symptoms like:
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trouble learning or speaking
- Severe weight loss
- Psychosis
Shooting PCP intravenously also increases the risk of contracting diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
