PCP and ketamine are hallucinogenic drugs with anesthetic properties. They are chemically similar drugs with similar effects and risks on the body. Overdosing on either substance can cause severe complications.
Hallucinogens are drugs that can alter a person’s mood and perception of the world around them. Both phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine are dissociative drugs. These refer to a type of hallucinogen that can cause people to feel detached from reality.
Both PCP and ketamine work in similar ways by blocking the actions of neurotransmitters in the brain. This can cause a person to experience giddiness, euphoria, anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. High doses of either drug can cause severe and potentially fatal complications.
PCP is a common
PCP is now a Schedule II drug in the United States and is therefore
PCP is an abbreviation of its scientific name, phencyclidine. Its other names include:
- angel dust
- elephant tranquilizer
- horse tranquilizer
- rocket fuel
- peace pill
- zoom
- rocket fuel
PCP has several short-term health effects. It can cause serious or fatal complications with higher doses, long-term use, or overdose.
Ketamine is a dissociative drug that has some hallucinogenic effects. It makes people feel detached from their environment and pain.
Approved medical forms of ketamine include:
- surgical anesthetics
- prescription medication for treatment-resistant depression
- veterinary anesthetics
Some people may also use ketamine as a
Other names for ketamine include:
- cat tranquilizer
- cat valium
- jet K
- kit kat
- purple
- special K
- special LA Coke
- super K
- vitamin K
Ketamine can produce negative side effects, including some which may last weeks. A ketamine overdose may cause unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing.
Ketamine and PCP are chemically similar. They work due to the way they both affect neurotransmitters and receptors.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that a person’s brain uses to transmit signals in their body. They carry signals to other cells by traveling to them and attaching to specific receptors on specific cells.
A person’s brain uses neurotransmitters to regulate several bodily functions. Different neurotransmitters attach to different receptors for each type. When they attach, they trigger an action in their target cells.
- dopamine
- norepinephrine
- serotonin
Both PCP and ketamine also block a type of receptor called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. This effect blocks a neurotransmitter called glutamate, an important neurotransmitter that
- memory
- thinking
- mood
NMDA receptors are a
- memory
- pain
- emotions
- learning processes
Ketamine and PCP produce similar effects on a person’s body. They both can immediately cause a person to experience:
- hallucinations
- feelings of detachment from:
- a person’s surroundings
- their self
- distortion of a person’s sight and sound
- sedation
- not being able to move
- a lack of pain
- amnesia
- unconsciousness
- faster heartbeat
- increased blood pressure
- rapid involuntary eye movements
- numbness
However, ketamine has
Both PCP and ketamine carry a risk of having adverse side effects. Overdosing with either can also have serious or fatal complications.
Side health effects of PCP can include:
- delusions
- paranoia
- problems thinking
- anxiety
- a chronic dependency on PCP
- withdrawal symptoms
- long-term health conditions such as:
- memory loss
- problems with speech and thinking
- loss of appetite
- anxiety
Side health effects of ketamine can include:
- problems with attention, learning, and memory
- confusion
- dangerously slow breathing
- developing long-term health conditions such as:
- ulcers and pain in a person’s bladder
- kidney problems
- stomach pain
- depression
- memory issues
Some effects of ketamine may continue to affect a person for several weeks after taking it. Ketamine
An overdose of PCP or ketamine has similar symptoms and can cause people to experience:
- respiratory depression, or a breathing disorder where a person has slowed and ineffective breathing
- coma
- convulsions
- seizures
- fatal respiratory arrest, where a person stops breathing
However, doctors can often effectively treat PCP or ketamine overdoses.
If a person or someone they know is experiencing severe symptoms, an overdose, or is in danger, they need to seek immediate medical attention. They should call 911 or go to an emergency department.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can help people experiencing a substance use crisis or mental health crisis. People can call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) can help people find substance use and mental health treatment programs. The SAMHSA helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It also helps people find a qualified healthcare professional in their area.
Phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine are chemically similar drugs that share some effects. They both work by affecting neurotransmitters and receptors in a person’s brain, in particular glutamate and NMDA receptors.
Both may have adverse side effects or serious complications. If a person or someone they know has serious symptoms or an overdose from either, they need to seek immediate medical attention.