Stuff You Should Know

How PCP Works

Thu Jul 13 2023

PCPdrug usesubstance abusemental healthpop culture

Description

This episode explores the history, use, effects, myths, violence, mental health implications, and pop culture references related to PCP. It discusses how PCP was initially created as an anesthetic but was later removed from the market due to its high abuse potential. The use of PCP has declined over the years, but it remains prevalent in certain areas. The episode also delves into the distribution of PCP, its effects on the brain, and the misconceptions surrounding superhuman strength. It examines the impact of PCP on mental health and its portrayal in pop culture.

Insights

PCP use has declined over the years

PCP, also known as phencyclidine, was popular in the 1970s and 80s but has since declined in use. Although it remains prevalent in certain areas, overall PCP use has significantly decreased.

PCP is primarily used in America

The article explores why PCP is primarily used in America, with prevalence in certain towns in Connecticut. PCP users are often marginalized, unemployed, black, inner city men.

PCP affects memory formation and can cause blackouts

PCP has disassociative hypnotic sedative effects and can cause a person to fall into a coma with their eyes open. It affects memory formation and can lead to blackouts.

PCP does not grant superhuman strength

Contrary to popular belief, PCP does not give individuals superhuman strength. Claims of superhuman strength from PCP use are false.

PCP can induce schizophrenia and exacerbate mental disorders

PCP is a drug that can induce schizophrenia and potentially treat Alzheimer's. It can exacerbate pre-existing mental disorders and make them emerge.

PCP has sedative and amping qualities

PCP has sedative and amping qualities, causing extreme agitation or catatonia during the same trip. Prolonged PCP use can lead to strange spiritual and religious beliefs.

PCP is inaccurately portrayed in pop culture

PCP has been inaccurately portrayed in pop culture, with movies like 'Desperate Lives' depicting unrealistic scenarios. PCP comedy allows for easy creation of hilarious jokes, regardless of its accuracy.

Summary

Transcript

PCP: History and Decline

00:00 - 07:08

PCP, also known as phencyclidine, is a drug that was popular in the 1970s and 80s but has since declined in use.
PCP was initially created by German chemists in 1926 and later marketed as an anesthetic by Park Davis, a pharmaceutical company.
The drug showed a high potential for abuse and had undesirable side effects, leading to its removal from the market in 1965.
PCP use among high school students peaked in the late '70s and early '80s but has significantly decreased over the years.
Ketamine, which is similar to PCP, has become a more popular recreational drug.
Although PCP use has declined overall, it remains prevalent in certain areas such as inner cities of Washington DC and some towns in Connecticut.
The United States is the only country where PCP is widely used.

PCP Use and Distribution

06:51 - 14:00

PCP use is prevalent in certain towns in Connecticut and the article explores why PCP is primarily used in America.
PCP users are often marginalized, unemployed, black, inner city men.
PCP is mainly controlled and made by black street gangs in LA like Crips and Bloods.
The distribution of PCP is difficult, so it's likely that someone with ties to LA street gangs is supplying it to specific cities in Connecticut.
In 1978, the US government classified PCP as a schedule II controlled substance due to its high abuse potential and addictive nature.
PCP shares a precursor drug with crystal meth called pyridine.
PCP has disassociative hypnotic sedative effects and can cause a person to fall into a coma with their eyes open.
Ketamine was also used for sedation purposes during surgery in Vietnam due to its similar effects as PCP.
Rave culture embraced drugs like PCP and ketamine because they provided a funky feeling without slowing people down.
PCP acts as an NMDA antagonist, preventing NMDA receptors from accepting glutamate and affecting memory formation and neuroplasticity.
PCP affects the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, opioid receptors, and nicotinic receptors.

Effects and Myths of PCP

13:43 - 21:22

PCP affects opioid receptors, nicotinic receptors, and muscarinic activity in the brain.
It can both depress and excite the central nervous system.
PCP affects the ability to receive glutamate in NMDA receptors.
Ketamine can cause unwanted muscle movements and difficulty walking.
In San Francisco, ketamine was called 'wobbleweed' by hippies.
PCP is not associated with sleepiness or sedation.
PCP is a dissociative drug that can cause catatonic states and distorted senses
It blurs the distinction between self and others, as well as past, present, and future events
PCP affects memory formation and can cause blackouts
The drug has fast-acting effects and can last up to 24 hours
PCP can be taken orally or smoked/snorted like heroin
There was confusion between PCP and embalming fluid in the media
PCP became associated with urban legends and misinformation
Claims of superhuman strength from PCP use are false

PCP and Violence

21:02 - 27:43

PCP does not give you superhuman strength, contrary to popular belief.
PCP was often used as an excuse for excessive force by police officers.
The fear of superhuman strength brought on by PCP got the officers in the Rodney King trial off the hook.
A meta-analysis found that PCP was the sole cause of violent behavior in only two out of hundreds of cases.
PCP amplifies a person's personality but does not grant superhuman strength.
Videos have shown that individuals on PCP can withstand bear spray and tasers due to disassociation from pain, not superhuman strength.
The myth that someone on PCP can snap handcuffs is likely untrue.
There are many myths surrounding PCP, but it is not being defended or praised in any way.
The non-lethal weapon industry, such as tasers and bear spray, was created as an alternative to excessive force when dealing with PCP users.

PCP and Mental Health

41:07 - 48:26

PCP is a drug that can induce schizophrenia and potentially treat Alzheimer's.
PCP can exacerbate pre-existing mental disorders and make them emerge.
PCP inhibits glutamate, which is associated with schizophrenia, and can also treat Alzheimer's.
PCP has sedative and amping qualities, causing extreme agitation or catatonia during the same trip.
Prolonged PCP use can lead to strange spiritual and religious beliefs, such as thinking one is a god.
PCP dependence is high due to its stimulation of the reward center in the brain.
Withdrawal symptoms from PCP include major depression and long-lasting speech difficulties.

PCP in Pop Culture

48:10 - 54:51

Tracy Morgan and Will Ferrell did a skit on Saturday Night Live about drug-based comedy inspired by Cheech and Chong
The skit featured PCP comedy with Tracy Morgan as Zach and Will Ferrell as Orbit
They played clips from their hit records from the 70s, which involved screaming about snakes in the toilet and shooting the toilet with a shotgun
PCP comedy allows for easy creation of hilarious jokes, regardless of its accuracy
The movie 'Desperate Lives' from 1982 depicts an inaccurate portrayal of PCP where a teenage Helen Hunt smokes PCP, jumps out of a window, and becomes paralyzed
Scott Baio was in an anti-marijuana episode that featured him smoking out of a bong