PCP is categorized as what type of drug?

Phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP, is classified as a dissociative drug. Dissociatives are substances that alter perceptions of sight and sound and produce feelings of detachment from the environment and self. PCP initially gained attention as an anesthetic but was later discontinued for human use due to its severe psychological effects and the unpredictable nature of its impact.

When someone uses PCP, they may experience a sense of disconnection from reality, leading to what is often described as an "out-of-body" experience. This dissociative effect is what primarily distinguishes PCP from other classifications of drugs, such as stimulants or opioids. While PCP can also have hallucinogenic properties, the dominant effects are those typically associated with dissociative drugs, such as altered sensory perceptions, feelings of detachment, and disruptions in cognition and mood.

Stimulants increase alertness and energy; opioids primarily induce sedation and pain relief; and hallucinogens primarily alter perception in a different manner than dissociatives, focusing more on sensory enhancements or distortions without the same detachment from reality. Hence, PCP's fundamental characteristic aligns with the dissociative category.