What Is Sherm? Dangers, Effects & Why This Drug Alarms Experts

There are hundreds of illicit drugs circulating in communities everywhere. And you may even be familiar with some of them, with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamine being the most common.

The type of drugs an individual is exposed to typically depends on their environment. Drug abuse can happen at home, at school, or in the workplace.

For example, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), high-stress professions like lawyers, teachers, construction workers, and healthcare providers are more prone to developing alcohol use disorders (AUD).

Among teens and young adults, the combination of phencyclidine (PCP) and cannabis, called “Sherm,” has long been a trend. Toxic and highly addictive, these “wet drugs” affect the victim’s brain, causing harm and long-term damage.

What is Sherm? If it’s your first time hearing this street slang, here’s everything you need to know. We’ll discuss its effects on the body, the signs of PCP addiction, and the best treatment options available for you or your loved ones.

Table of Contents

1 What Is Sherm?
- 1.1 Why Is Phencyclidine in Sherm Dangerous?
2 Sherm or PCP Addiction
- 2.1 Recognizing Signs of PCP Addiction
- 2.2 PCP Overdose Symptoms
3 Sherm and PCP Addiction Treatment Options
4 Final Thoughts: Seeking Professional Help and Support
- 4.1 References

What Is Sherm?

Sherm refers to smoking cannabis or tobacco dipped in phencyclidine (PCP), a type of dissociative drug, or embalming fluid, which contains toxic formaldehyde solvent. Others call it “smoking wet,” and they do this to achieve a more intense (and often dangerous) high.

PCP typically comes in a bitter-tasting, crystalline powder form. It dissolves fast when mixed with water or alcohol and is usually dyed in various colors. Other street names for the drug include:

Angel dust
Super grass
Peace pills
Amoeba
STP
Hog
Wack
Ozone
Belladonna
Sherman sticks

Besides lacing joints with the melted drug, some people snort powder, swallow tablets or capsules, and inject the PCP liquid form into the veins. Depending on how the drug is administered, phencyclidine can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours to take effect.

Categorized as a Schedule II drug, smoking marijuana or tobacco cigarettes infused with PCP isn’t only illegal. Ingesting the neurotoxic substance also poses significant health risks, including severe physical and psychological effects.

To make the issue worse, many of its users mistakenly believe Sherm to be harmless.

According to a survey by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, over 225,000 teenagers and young adults aged 12 and above admitted to using sherm at least once. Many of these individuals are teens who are still in high school.

Unfortunately, the drug remains highly available. A significant percentage of high school students could still acquire cigarettes, marijuana, and PCP easily, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Why Is Phencyclidine in Sherm Dangerous?

Originally made as an intravenous anesthetic in the ‘60s, phencyclidine has been discontinued for medical use because of its alarming effects on the human body. However, by the ‘70s, many had already been using PCP for recreation.

Phencyclidine has both hallucinogenic and dissociative properties, which makes it more risky to use. When the drug reaches the brain, it alters the user’s mood and impacts how the individual perceives and relates to the world.

As a hallucinogen, PCP may induce mind-altering effects, including confusion, mood swings, and severe hallucinations, and can be extremely hazardous.

That said, the dissociative properties of PCP are one of the main reasons many people smoke Sherm. It causes a high that can make the person feel detached from their body and surroundings.

After smoking marijuana cigarettes laced with PCP, the individual experiences short-term “feel good” emotions like:

A floating sensation
Feelings of separation from reality
Intense happiness
Decreased inhibition
Clarity and feeling hyper-focused
Seeing beautiful visions or hearing sounds that aren’t there
An illusion of having superhuman qualities (e.g., strength, speed, fearlessness, etc.)

However, behind these seemingly harmless results, like most illegal drugs, PCP comes with a string of adverse effects that could place your life at risk. Depending on the dose and how your body reacts to the drug, you may encounter serious side effects of PCP, such as:

Agitation, aggression, and violent behaviors
Feeling a strong distrust toward others
Intense suicidal ideation
Mood issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.)
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
Numbness and loss of coordination
Nausea, dizziness, drooling, and vomiting
Trouble forming coherent thoughts
Slurring, stuttering, and speaking issues
Amnesia or memory loss
Seizures, coma, and death

At high doses of PCP, symptoms resemble those of schizophrenia, which can involve delusions and constant paranoia. If taken by mouth, large amounts of angel dust could also result in kidney failure, heart problems, and other life-threatening complications.

Smoking with the dangerous drug is even more concerning for high school students. Research found that even minimal use of PCP affects the hormones associated with growth in developing teens. Not to mention its serious impact on their learning capability and education.

Sherm or PCP Addiction

Phencyclidine is a highly addictive drug. That means people who use it have a high risk of developing physical and psychological dependence on PCP. Left unchecked, the individual may lose control of their cravings and behaviors, which are the typical indicators of substance use disorders (SUD).

Recognizing Signs of PCP Addiction

People addicted to Sherm or PCP exhibit a range of physical symptoms. As chronic drug use often results in appetite loss, some individuals undergo drastic weight loss and look gaunt, frail, or unhealthy.

With their mind preoccupied with getting and using more of the substance, people with phencyclidine addiction typically show a lack of care in their hygiene. They could appear unkempt and generally dirtier than they used to be.

Besides hygiene and appearance, you may also notice changes in their behavior. Your teenager or family member can start experiencing school or work issues. They’ll miss school or work more frequently, showing a surprising lack of interest in their commitments.

PCP impairs the person’s cognitive functions and memory. Dependence on this drug disrupts focus, attention, and problem-solving skills, which can lead to poor academic or work performance.

Another classic behavioral sign of addiction you can observe is financial issues. They may suddenly ask for more money without explaining what they’ll use it for. In the worst cases, the person suffering from SUD can start stealing or selling valuable possessions.

Despite knowing the drug’s impact on their education and career, those suffering from addiction will likely keep taking PCP. They might also become aggressive or violent toward their friends and family, endangering their relationships.

When someone develops dependence on a potent drug like phencyclidine, suddenly stopping or decreasing the intake typically results in painful withdrawal symptoms lasting several weeks. Facilitating safe withdrawal is a crucial step to recovering from PCP addiction.

PCP Overdose Symptoms

Consuming dangerous amounts of phencyclidine and similar drugs can cause an overdose. If you or someone you know experiences the following symptoms after Sherm use, call 911 or the National Poison Help hotline.

Intense agitation (excitement or anger)
Inability to think, talk, or move
Seizures, convulsions, or coma
Severe hallucinations
Acting out of touch with reality (psychosis)
Loss of limb coordination
Abnormally high blood pressure
Eyes are moving from side to side (nystagmus)

If you suspect a PCP overdose, it’s best to avoid approaching the person as they can be quite dangerous. Instead, seek medical help immediately and be prepared to provide crucial information about the victim.

Sherm and PCP Addiction Treatment Options

Sherm and phencyclidine addiction require professional treatment and expert-supervised detox. Unfortunately, unlike other common drugs, PCP binds to the brain tissue, so there’s currently no medication available to help curb its effects on the body.

If you or any of your loved ones are seeking to reduce or eliminate your phencyclidine addiction, treatment centers like Long Island Interventions offer comprehensive and personalized treatment programs for your specific needs.

Experts may employ a combination of medication and evidence-based therapies to manage withdrawal safely and mitigate the mental health burdens of drug recovery.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy are commonly used for many types of drug addiction, including PCP. Your healthcare provider may also administer benzodiazepines to manage psychiatric symptoms during the withdrawal.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, doctors may recommend an inpatient program. Treatment centers also provide valuable resources to reinforce your recovery, including support groups and family therapies.

Final Thoughts: Seeking Professional Help and Support

Like any other substance abuse disorder, recovery from Sherm and PCP addiction begins the moment you recognize you have a problem. As soon as you decide to overcome your affliction, the next step is seeking the right help and support.

Long Island Interventions is a trusted provider of discreet and comprehensive SUD treatment and state-of-the-art facilities in New York. Our compassionate specialists offer evidence-based therapies, coaching services, and ongoing care to help prevent relapse.

Don’t let substance use derail your life. Reach out to Long Island Interventions and get your life back on track.

References

Published on: 2025-06-30
Updated on: 2025-06-30

What Is Sherm? The Dangerous Drug That’s Raising Alarms