In addition, the strength of street samples is extremely variable, so the amount taken can also vary greatly. When it is presumed to be some other drug with relatively mild effects, such as mescaline or peyote, the stonger and upredictable effects of PCP can be distressing. The short term effects of low doses of PCP appear soon after taking a single dose and disappear within a few hours or days. The effects of high doses, however, have lasted from 10 days to two weeks. At higher doses of 10 mg or more, a rapid drop in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration occurs with nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dizziness, and decreased awareness of pain.
Larger doses can cause convulsions, coma, and death.
The user's ability to concentrate, think logically, and speak become impaired. Marked changes in perception, thought, and mood similar to those produced by LSD can occur. Euphoria is experienced by many users, while others feel threatened and because of fear, anxiety, or panic, can behave violently. Severe psychological disorganization and acute toxic psychosis can result. Deaths linked to the psychological effects include accidental drownings, suicides, homicides, and car crashes.