3-MeO-PCE Facts
Dissociative;
Description
3-MeO-PCE (3-methoxyeticyclidine) is a synthetic dissociative of the arylcyclohexylamine class. It blocks glutamate signaling in the brain while also raising serotonin levels, producing dissociation with a distinctly stimulant-like character.
Subjective effects include dissociation, euphoria, pain suppression, sensory distortion, and a warm, energized detachment. The experience is more stimulating than ketamine — an energized disconnection rather than sedating blankness — and mania or delusional thinking can emerge at higher doses.
3-MeO-PCE carries PCP-like abuse liability; the 3-methoxy substitution also increases acute lethality in animal models.[1] The dominant risks are mania and psychosis — dual glutamate and serotonin disruption drives psychotomimetic effects beyond most dissociatives, and combinations with serotonergic drugs or CNS depressants have proven fatal.[2][3]
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Starts in 30 – 90 minLasts 4 – 8 hoursAfter-effects 4 – 12 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Moderate
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- Moderate
- Psychological dependence
- Moderate
- Withdrawal
- Mild
- Compulsive redosing
- Moderate
Tolerance
- Builds
- Moderate
- Fully resets after
- 10 days
- Carries over to
- ketamine;
phencyclidine; methoxetamine; dextromethorphan; 3-MeO-PCP; 2F-DCK
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 22 possible, including Vestibular distortion, Spatial disorientation, Visual haze / noise
- Body
- Motor control impairment;
+24 possible, including Dizziness, Nystagmus (eye wobbles), Insomnia - Thinking
- none likely · 26 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Confusion, Decision impairment
- Feeling
- none likely · 8 possible, including Mania, Anxiety, Emotional lability
- Self
- none likely · 9 possible, including Depersonalization, Derealization, Communication suppression
- Time
- Time alteration;
+3 possible, including Temporal disorientation - Awareness
- none likely · 1 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations61 recorded
Seek help immediately if
- Severe disorientation; unable to move or speak (deep dissociation / "k-hole")
- Complete loss of coordination — cannot stand or walk safely
- Vomiting while incapacitated (choking / aspiration risk)
- Very high blood pressure; fast heart rate
- Slow or shallow breathing at high doses (especially mixed with depressants)
- Unconsciousness; rarely, seizures
What to do
- Move them somewhere safe, away from stairs, water, roads, and sharp edges — they cannot protect themselves
- Place in the recovery position if vomiting or unconscious (aspiration is a key risk)
- Stay with them and reassure calmly; keep the environment quiet
- If breathing is slow/shallow or they are unresponsive, call emergency services
- Do not let them wander; do not leave them alone
- Be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
Effects wear off with time in a safe, monitored setting. The main dangers are physical injury and aspiration while incapacitated, and respiratory depression when combined with other depressants — not the dissociation itself.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
References
- [1]^Shaw HE, Patel DR, Gannon BM, Fitzgerald LR, Carbonaro TM, Johnson CR, Fantegrossi WE (2024) Phencyclidine-Like Abuse Liability and Psychosis-Like Neurocognitive Effects of Novel Arylcyclohexylamine Drugs of Abuse in Rodents — The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics doi:10.1124/jpet.123.001942
- [2]^Gicquel T, Richeval C, Mesli V, Gish A, Hakim F, Pelletier R, Cornez R, Balgairies A, Allorge D, Gaulier JM (2021) Fatal intoxication related to two new arylcyclohexylamine derivatives (2F-DCK and 3-MeO-PCE) — Forensic Science International doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110852
- [3]^Roth BL, Gibbons S, Arunotayanun W, Huang XP, Setola V, Treble R, Iversen L (2013) The ketamine analogue methoxetamine and 3- and 4-methoxy analogues of phencyclidine are high affinity and selective ligands for the glutamate NMDA receptor — PLoS ONE doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0059334