Have you heard of angel dust and wondered what it really is? You may have seen it mentioned in the news or on social media, or someone may have brought it up in conversation.
The name might sound strange, but the drug behind it is very real—and very dangerous. Angel dust is a street name for a drug called PCP, short for phencyclidine. It’s a white crystalline powder.
It was first made a long time ago to be used as an anesthetic (a medicine to stop pain). However, doctors stopped using it because it caused scary side effects.
Now, people use it as an illegal drug—and it can lead to serious health problems. This drug is known for making people act in ways that don’t make sense. It can cause hallucinations, memory loss, confusion, and very unpredictable behavior.
Some people become violent, while others feel totally disconnected from their bodies or surroundings. It can be dangerous not only for the person using it but also for the people around them.
What Is Angel Dust?
Angel dust is the street name for a drug called PCP, which stands for phencyclidine. It was first made in the 1950s as a medicine to help people sleep during surgery.
Doctors hoped it would work well as an anesthetic, which is a drug that makes you feel no pain, but it didn’t go as planned.
People who were given PCP during surgery started waking up with severe side effects. These included confusion, fear, and strange thoughts. Because of this, doctors stopped using it on humans and banned it for medical use.
Unfortunately, it didn’t disappear—it became a drug that people started using illegally.
PCP can look like a white powder, but it can also come in pills, capsules, or liquid form. People use angel dust in a few different ways. They might smoke it, sometimes mixed with marijuana or tobacco. Others might snort it, swallow it in pill form, or even inject it into their body with a needle.
No matter how it’s taken, angel dust can be extremely dangerous. Even one use can cause scary and harmful effects.
What Does Angel Dust Do to the Brain and Body?
Angel dust (PCP) changes the way your brain works. It affects the brain’s ability to process sights, sounds, and feelings. That means things around you might look or sound different than they really are.
People who use angel dust often experience hallucinations. That means they might see, hear, or feel things that aren’t real. They can become confused, scared, or feel like they are not in control of their body.
Some people describe it as feeling “out of touch” with reality or completely disconnected.
The physical effects on the body can also be serious. These may include:
- Numbness in arms or legs
- Slurred speech (talking in a hard way to understand)
- Loss of coordination (trouble walking or standing)
Angel dust also increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for the heart.
Some people on PCP feel like they’re super strong or invincible, leading them to act recklessly, get into fights, or harm themselves without even realizing it. For these reasons, it’s sometimes also known as “rocket fuel.”
The effects of this dissociative drug can come on fast and be very unpredictable. That’s why PCP is considered so risky—it can cause a person to lose control of their mind and body in dangerous ways.
The Dangers of Angel Dust
The dangers of angel dust are serious and can affect both the mind and body.
Short-Term Risks:
- Violent or unpredictable behavior
- People on angel dust might become aggressive or act in strange, scary ways.
- They may hurt themselves or others without meaning to.
- Poor judgment
- PCP can make people lose touch with reality, leading them to take dangerous risks, like walking into traffic or jumping from high places.
- Lack of pain response
- The drug can make people feel like they don’t feel pain at all.
- This makes it more likely for them to get injured without even realizing it.
- Overdose
- Taking too much angel dust can cause seizures, coma, or even death.
- An overdose is a medical emergency and needs help right away.
- Mental side effects
- Even one-time use can cause extreme anxiety, paranoia (thinking people are out to get you), and psychosis (being detached from reality).
Long-Term Risks:
Repeated use of PCP can damage the brain, making it hard to remember things or think clearly. For example, long-term users may develop lasting problems like depression, paranoia, or trouble knowing what’s real and what’s not.
Some people become dependent on the drug and feel like they can’t function without it.
Mixing with Other Drugs:
The dangers of angel dust become even greater when it’s mixed with other substances. For example, alcohol and opioids can slow down the body too much, which can lead to trouble breathing, unconsciousness, or death.
Many people don’t even realize PCP has been mixed into something else they’re taking, which can lead to a surprise overdose.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone who uses angel dust is at risk, but some groups are more likely to be in danger.
- Teens and young adults— Younger people may try drugs out of curiosity or peer pressure. Many don’t realize how dangerous angel dust really is.
- People with mental health problems— Someone who already struggles with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues may be more sensitive to the effects of PCP.
- People who don’t know they’re taking it— Sometimes, angel dust is mixed into other drugs like marijuana, cocaine, or pills without the person knowing. This can lead to a surprise reaction that’s frightening and dangerous.
Because angel dust is often sold illegally and not clearly labeled, it’s easy for someone to accidentally take it. This makes education and awareness even more important.
The effects of angel dust are serious, no matter the situation, and knowing the risks can help people make safer choices.
If you’re struggling with angel dust or other substances or have a loved one who is, we encourage you to contact PAX Memphis.
References:
- Science Direct: Phencyclidine
- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Phencyclidine