Rolicyclidine

It was synthesized by Parke Davis chemists in the year 1958, later it showed up in some street samples of supposed PCP and was responsible for at least one confirmed death by gunshot wound in 1979^[13]

Common names

Due to producing similar effects to PCP it was presumably sold under similar street names such as "Wet", "Sherm sticks", etc.

PCPy, or rolicyclidine, is a synthetic dissociative of the arylcyclohexylamine class. PCPy contains cyclohexane, a six-member saturated ring, bonded to two additional rings at R₁. One of these rings is a pyrrolidine ring, a nitrogenous five member ring, bonded at its nitrogen group. The other ring is an aromatic phenyl ring. PCPy is an initialism named from the first letters of the two constituent rings aswell as "Py" which is a generic denunciation for something containing a pyrrolidine ring.

It can be synthesized by the action of a cyanide salt upon cyclohexanone which produces the hydroxynitrile, this can then be reacted with the secondary amine of choice, in this case pyrrolidine, to produce the carbonitrile which is further reacted with phenylmagnesium bromide and worked up to produce PCPy^[14]

PCPy acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist. NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurons in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. Dissociatives close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurons leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually an almost identical equivalent of the notorious “k-hole.”

PCPy probably features similar biochemical properties to PCP, which includes antagonizing the NMDA receptor, the PCP2 glutamate receptor^[15] and acting as a agonist at the sigma-1 receptor aswell as a modulator of the serotonin transporter, which might be responsible for some of the pupil dilatory effects.

PCPy is about as potent as PCP in inducing ataxia in animals^[16]

PCPy is considerably more likely to induce psychosis and mania than other dissociatives and is therefore potentially dangerous even in a proper setting. Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:

experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: PCP

The long-term use of substances of the PCP class may lead to schizophrenia-like psychotic episodes, severe lasting memory loss, disorganized thinking, depression, weight loss, liver abnormalities and rhabdomyolysis (skeletal muscle breakdown).^[17]

It is very strongly recommended that one use extreme caution and harm reduction practices when using this substance. For example,

• The biggest danger with this family of compounds is their potency, coupled with their duration of action and their propensity to cause bizarre manic states at higher dosages, start low and go slow if you are unfamiliar with its effects, by itself PCPy, if used carefully, is not any more dangerous than other more well known drugs.
• Users should avoid taking the drug multiple days in a row or becoming addicted to it as this increases the risk of severe adverse effects.
• The recommended dosage range should not be exceeded as high doses can trigger adverse effects.
• Users should start with extremely low doses and work their way up as slowly as possible. Volumetric liquid dosing should preferably be used due to the drug's potency; most standard milligram scales cannot accurately weigh out doses below 10-15mg.
• Compulsive redosing before one has fully sobered up is not recommended and can result in too high of a dose.

Psychosis

PCPy, like its parent, has been reported to cause psychosis and mania at a significantly higher rate than other dissociatives such as ketamine, diphenidine, or MXE. Multiple scientific papers describe states of psychosis, mania, and/or delirium occurring after moderate to large doses of the parent compound.

Due to the risk of psychosis, it is not recommended to combine this substance with other substances, especially stimulants, psychedelics, or other dissociatives like MXE and DXM.

Neurological effects

Some studies found that, like other NMDA receptor antagonists, PCPy can cause brain damage called Olney's lesions in rats.^[18][19] Studies conducted on rats showed that high doses of the NMDA receptor antagonist dizocilpine caused reversible vacuoles to form in certain regions of the rats' brains. All studies of Olney's lesions have only been performed on non-human animals and may not apply to humans.

One unpublished study by Frank Sharp reportedly showed no damage by the NMDA antagonist ketamine (a similar drug) far beyond recreational doses^[20] but its validity is controversial since it was never published.

PCP-type compounds have also been shown to cause schizophrenia-like changes in N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate levels in the rat brain, which are detectable both in living rats and upon necropsy examination of brain tissue.^[21]Rolicyclidine, like its parent, PCP, probably induces schizomimetic effects in humans.^[22]

Urinary tract effects

In terms of its long-term health effects when used repeatedly and excessively for extended periods of time, PCP-type compounds seem to have similar toxic effects as ketamine but as much lower dosages are usually employed it has less of a propensity to cause toxic effects, accumulate or present severe metabolic load.

• Urinary frequency - Urinary frequency is the need to empty the bladder every few minutes.
• Urinary urgency - This can be described as a sudden, compelling need to urinate.
• Urinary pressure - This is experienced as a constant sensation of fullness in the bladder that is unrelieved by urination.
• Pelvic and bladder pain - Pain can develop suddenly and severely, particularly as the bladder fills with urine.
• Hematuria - Hematuria is visible blood in the urine.
• Incontinence - This is the uncontrolled leakage of urine.

Dependence and abuse potential

The chronic use of PCPy can be considered highly addictive with a high potential for adverse side effects such as psychosis. In comparison to other dissociatives, PCPy has been reported to be more addictive than MXE, diphenidine, ephenidine, and ketamine.

When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. There have been multiple reports across the internet of people becoming seriously addicted daily users of this substance so serious precautions and considerations should be taken before trying this substance.

Tolerance to many of the effects of PCPy develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). PCPy presents cross-tolerance with all dissociatives, meaning that after the consumption of PCPy, all dissociatives will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

• MXE - PCPy generally potentiates the action of other arylcyclohexylamine dissociatives.
• Caffeine - Details of this combination are not well understood but PCPy generally interacts in an unpredictable manner.
• Opioids - Opioids add to the central depressant action of PCPy, easily producing unconsciousness at higher doses
• DOx - Details of this combination are not well understood but PCPy generally interacts in an unpredictable manner.
• Amphetamines - This combination can easily lead to hypermanic states.
• MDMA - This combination can easily lead to hypermanic states.
• Cocaine - This combination can easily lead to hypermanic states.
• Alcohol - Adds to the central depressant effect of PCPy, dangerous at high dosages.
• Benzodiazepines - Both substances potentiate the ataxia and sedation caused by the other and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Memory blackouts are likely. Small amounts of benzodiazepines might end a bad trip.
• SSRIs - Details of this combination are not well understood but PCPy generally interacts in an unpredictable manner.
• 2C-T-x
• ΑMT
• 5-MeO-xxT
• DXM - Unnecessary as it might produce unpleasant effects such as dizziness or nausea, but may at the same time increase visuals and or dissociation.
• GHB - Details of this combination are not well understood but PCPy generally interacts in an unpredictable manner.
• GBL - Details of this combination are not well understood but PCPy generally interacts in an unpredictable manner.
• Tramadol
• MAOIs - Stimulatory effects as are produced by this class of compounds are innately dangerous with MAO inhibition, potential serotonergic effects are deadly with MAO inhibition.

Internationally, PCPy is a Schedule II substance under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.^[23]

• Responsible use
  • Volumetric dosing
• Dissociative
• Phencyclidines
• 3-MeO-PCP
• MXE
• PCE
• DXM
• Ketamine

• PCPy (Wikipedia)
• PCPy (Isomer Design)

Forums

• Early thread about the chemistry of PCP, mentions PCPy (Bluelight)

• Morris, H., & Wallach, J. (2014). From PCP to MXE: A comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7–8), 614–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1620