Final answer:
1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine hydrochloride (PCP) was first tested as a dissociative anesthetic in the 1950s. It acts as an antagonist of the NMDA glutamate receptor, affecting the user's state of consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine hydrochloride (PCP), also known as phencyclidine, was originally developed in the 1950s. Its initial testing was for use as a dissociative anesthetic for surgery. This class of drug typically modifies perceptions of sight and sound and produces feelings of detachment from oneself and the environment. During its time as an anesthetic, it was known under the brand name Sernyl.
While PCP can be found in various forms, such as tablets or capsules, it is usually sold illegally as a liquid or powder. When abused, PCP can be snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed, often combined with substances like marijuana, tobacco, or parsley. Its effects on the brain are primarily due to its action as an antagonist of the NMDA glutamate receptor, which significantly alters the user's state of consciousness and can lead to hallucinations and dissociation.