A hallucinogen formerly used as a veterinary anesthetic, and briefly as a general anesthetic for humans. phencyclidine is similar to ketamine in structure and in many of its effects. Like ketamine, it can produce a dissociative state. It exerts its pharmacological action through inhibition of NMDA receptors (receptors, n-methyl-d-aspartate). As a drug of abuse, it is known as PCP and Angel dust.