spec sheet10 rows
4-MeO-PCP (4-methoxyphencyclidine) is a methoxy-substituted analog of phencyclidine presumed to act as an NMDA-receptor antagonist, and it is generally regarded as less potent than PCP or the isomeric 3-MeO-PCP, with users reporting a more subtle, functional dissociation. In silico ADME modeling predicts high gastrointestinal absorption, blood-brain-barrier penetration, extensive tissue distribution, and metabolism dominated by CYP-mediated O-demethylation to phenolic metabolites followed by glucuronidation. Emergency-department case series from the Swedish STRIDA project confirmed analytically verified intoxications, which resembled those of other dissociatives such as PCP, ketamine, and methoxetamine and frequently featured hypertension, tachycardia, and altered mental status, though polysubstance use was common. It cross-reacts with commercial PCP immunoassays and remains an obscure research chemical with limited dedicated human data.
- Milder, functional dissociation
- Analgesia
- Relatively clear-headed at lower doses
- Methoxylated PCP analog; NMDA-antagonist dissociative
- Impaired coordination
- Nausea
Mechanism
It is presumed to antagonize the receptor like other arylcyclohexylamines, blocking excitatory signaling to produce dissociation. The 4-methoxy substitution is associated with lower NMDA affinity than the 3-substituted analogs, which fits reports of milder, more functional effects; precise human data are limited.
receptor fingerprint
Antagonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
As a dissociative it impairs coordination and judgment and can cause disorientation and nausea, with a dissociative state at higher doses. Its lower potency does not make it safe, and human data are sparse. It is dangerous combined with other depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids because of additive sedation. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Milder than the 3-substituted analogs, which people wrongly read as safer; it is simply weaker, and the human record amounts to a handful of emergency-department cases. It still impairs coordination and judgement, and mixing it with alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids is where dissociatives actually hurt people.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2015first citedA Fatality Related to Two Novel Hallucinogenic Compounds: 4-Methoxyphencyclidine and 4-Hydroxy-…
- 2026most recentADME profile of phencyclidine (PCP) analogues: emerging dissociative hallucinogens 3-MeO-PCP (C…
- 1.A Fatality Related to Two Novel Hallucinogenic Compounds: 4-Methoxyphencyclidine and 4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine
- 2.Arylcyclohexylamine Derivatives: Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, Clinical and Forensic Aspects
- 3.ADME profile of phencyclidine (PCP) analogues: emerging dissociative hallucinogens 3-MeO-PCP (CAS: 72242-03-6) and 4-MeO-PCP (CAS: 2201-35-6)-a multi-in silico approach for comprehensive prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion relevant to clinical and forensic toxicology.
- 4.Detectability of Dissociative Psychoactive Substances in Urine by Five Commercial Phencyclidine Immunoassays.
- 5.Phencyclidine analog use in Sweden--intoxication cases involving 3-MeO-PCP and 4-MeO-PCP from the STRIDA project.
- 6.Analytical Characterization of 3-MeO-PCP and 3-MMC in Seized Products and Biosamples: The Role of LC-HRAM-Orbitrap-MS and Solid Deposition GC-FTIR.
6 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Is 4-MeO-PCP weak?
It is less potent than PCP or 3-MeO-PCP and described as more functional, but it is still a real dissociative with risks.
Does lower potency mean it is safe?
No. Lower potency is not the same as safety, and it is poorly studied with additive risks alongside other depressants.
How does it feel compared to ketamine?
Reports describe a longer, more subtle dissociation than ketamine, though experiences vary.
Adverse effects
- Impaired coordination
- Nausea
Notes and cautions
- Disorientation
- Compulsive redosing