Question:
What is sherm?
Answer:
Often glamorized in street culture and misunderstood by the public, sherm is one of the most dangerous and deceptive drugs on the market. Sherm use is particularly prevalent in urban areas, where drug-related issues are more visible. Typically referring to cigarettes or joints dipped in PCP, sherm creates a high that’s intense, unpredictable, and deeply destructive. Sherm and related drugs are often discussed using coded language and slang, making it difficult for outsiders such as parents and educators to recognize when someone is using sherm. Though the slang may vary—wet, fry, dipstick—the dangers remain the same: aggression, hallucinations, dissociation, and long-term brain damage. Understanding what sherm is and how it affects the mind and body is the first step toward protecting yourself or a loved one from its devastating consequences.
Key Takeaways
Sherm refers to cigarettes or marijuana joints dipped in PCP, not actual embalming fluid—though the term persists due to PCP’s chemical smell and street slang.
Smoking sherm is extremely dangerous and illegal, producing unpredictable effects such as hallucinations, aggression, dissociation, and a high risk of psychosis or violent behavior.
Short-term use can lead to seizures, respiratory depression, coma, or death, while long-term use is associated with brain damage, cognitive decline, mood disorders, and lasting mental illness.
Sherm has a high potential for dependence and withdrawal, especially with repeated use, and polydrug use significantly increases overdose risk.
Professional treatment is often necessary for recovery, particularly because sherm addiction frequently co-occurs with mental health disorders and requires medical detox and structured therapy.
What Is Sherm?
Sherm is drug slang for dipping either cigarettes or marijuana joints in phencyclidine (PCP) or embalming fluid and then smoking it. However, most sherm involves the use of PCP, often resulting in marijuana joints or cigarettes laced with this dangerous substance.
Known as “angel dust” on the street, PCP is a hallucinogenic drug and a dissociative hallucinogen. It is a lab-made anesthetic that can cause intense hallucinations, aggression, paranoia, and dissociation. It’s classified as a Schedule II Controlled Substance, meaning smoking sherm is highly illegal, as well as highly addictive. Once the body has become used to sherm, painful and dangerous withdrawal symptoms ensue when a person tries to stop using it. Long-term, it can even lead to brain damage, making sherm a particularly nasty drug.
Sherm is illegal in the United States because it contains PCP, which is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Street Names for Sherm
Aside from sherm, PCP-dipped cigarettes or joints go by a variety of street names, depending on region and community.
Some of the most common include:
Sherm stick – A cigarette or joint dipped in PCP.
Wet – Refers to the liquid form of PCP or the soaked cigarette itself.
Fry or Fry stick – Popular in the Southern U.S., especially Texas.
Illy – Short for “ill,” used to describe the disorienting high.
Water – A slang term for the PCP solution itself.
Leak – Another term referencing the dripping of the liquid PCP.
Amp – Sometimes used in urban slang for a laced cigarette.
Dipstick – A cigarette that has been dipped in PCP.
Happy stick – An ironic term for a drug that often leads to violent or erratic behavior.
These street names and other forms of coded language make it difficult for parents, educators, and healthcare providers to recognize when someone is using sherm, as the use of slang conceals drug references and hinders detection.
These names are often used interchangeably with slight variations by region or among different user groups.
Is PCP Embalming Fluid?
No, PCP is an anaesthetic and is not used in mortuaries. Moreover, the idea that sherm involves embalming fluid is mostly a misnomer. The confusion stems from the fact that liquid PCP’s pungent smell is reminiscent of formaldehyde (and that so many apparently were familiar with the smell of embalming fluid speaks volumes for the dire circumstances in which the sherm originated). Embalming fluid itself contains other toxic substances, such as methanol and ethanol, which can pose additional health risks. “Embalming fluid” is thus mostly a code of sorts for the actual substance.
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Call 866-881-1184Effects of Smoking Sherm
Smoking sherm produces intense and unique psychoactive effects. On the one hand, it’s a depressant – it reduces central nervous system activity. On the other, it also has stimulant-like effects, inducing things like agitation and paranoia in the user. The acute effects of sherm can include immediate psychological impacts such as confusion, hallucinations, and aggressive behavior, as well as physical symptoms like rapid heart rate and numbness. The drug acts as a dissociative anesthetic, separating the user from their surroundings, pain, and even their own sense of self. The effects of sherm can be highly unpredictable and vary depending on the dose, the user’s mental state, and whether other substances are involved. These unpredictable effects are especially dangerous when sherm is combined with other drugs, as the interaction can lead to erratic and potentially life-threatening outcomes.
There are significant risks associated with sherm use, including severe physical and mental health dangers that can result in long-term harm.
Polydrug use is common among people who smoke sherm, and combining it with other drugs like alcohol or marijuana can intensify adverse effects and make addiction treatment more complicated.
As users develop a tolerance to sherm, they may require higher doses to achieve the same effect, which increases the risk of overdose. The combination of PCP and embalming fluid in sherm sticks significantly increases the risks associated with their use, including severe health complications and a higher likelihood of fatal outcomes such as overdose and long-term damage to the brain, liver, and lungs.
Short-Term Effects of Sherm
Shortly after smoking sherm, users may experience:
Euphoria or a “floating” sensation
Distorted perception of time and space
Numbness or loss of coordination
Aggressive or violent behavior
Paranoia, confusion, or hallucinations
Detachment from reality (dissociation)
Slurred speech and blank stares
Insensitivity to pain, which can lead to self-injury
Increased blood pressure
Elevated heart rate, excessive sweating, and dizziness
Common behavioral signs of sherm use include disorientation, violence, aggression, and emotional instability. Visual signs may include a blank expression, slowed movements, loss of coordination, and dilated pupils. Sherm use can also lead to risky behavior, such as self-harm or aggression, due to its effects on judgment and impulse control. Additionally, sherm use can cause symptoms that mimic other mental health conditions, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis.
Some users may appear catatonic or zombie-like, while others become hyper-agitated or irrational. In severe cases, the dangers of PCP intoxication may include seizures, psychosis, respiratory depression, or coma. Sherm can cause immediate health complications, including seizures, respiratory failure, and death.
Long-Term Risks of Smoking Sherm
Long-term dangers of PCP include:
Persistent anxiety, paranoia, or delusions
Memory loss and cognitive impairment
Depression and mood instability
Increased risk of psychotic episodes, even when not using
Brain damage due to neurotoxicity
Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms
High potential for accidental injury or legal trouble
Kidney damage and other organ failure
Dangers of high doses, such as seizures, organ failure, and death
Chronic use of PCP may permanently alter brain chemistry, making recovery difficult without professional intervention. In young people in particular, hormones can be impacted, stunting physical development. And the mental impacts of PCP on the brain can last up to a year in some cases.
Sherm addiction often co-occurs with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, which can complicate treatment and recovery.
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Check Your CoverageIs Sherm Dangerous?
It’s exceptionally dangerous, both in the short and long term. Sherm use is particularly prevalent in urban areas, where drug-related issues are more visible. The use of PCP significantly increases the risk of psychosis, violence, accidental injury, and death. Because street PCP can vary in potency and may be mixed with other harmful chemicals, users never truly know what they’re ingesting. On top of that, marijuana itself can also bring on mental illness in those with those tendencies.
Moreover, the false belief that it’s just marijuana or “just a dip” of PCP can lead first-time users to underestimate the risks of sherm, making the drug especially dangerous for inexperienced individuals.
Sherm Stick Use and Respiratory Failure
Sherm stick use—smoking a cigarette or marijuana joint dipped in PCP or embalming fluid—poses some of the most severe health risks among illicit drug practices. Inhaling embalming fluid and other toxic chemicals found in sherm sticks can have devastating effects on the body, especially the central nervous system and respiratory system. One of the most critical dangers is respiratory failure, a life-threatening condition where the lungs cannot provide enough oxygen to the body, potentially leading to coma or death.
The toxic substances in sherm sticks don’t just stop at respiratory problems. Smoking wet, or using sherm sticks, can cause cognitive impairment, violent behavior, and unpredictable mood swings. The intense psychoactive effects of these chemicals can trigger acute mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Over time, repeated exposure increases the risk of lasting brain damage and other neurological issues, making sherm stick use a significant threat to both physical and mental health.
Because the composition of sherm sticks is often unknown, users face an increased risk of sherm overdose, high blood pressure, and other serious complications. The highly addictive nature of PCP means that quitting sherm sticks can bring on severe withdrawal symptoms, making it difficult to stop without professional help. Many individuals struggling with sherm addiction also experience underlying issues such as trauma or co-occurring mental health disorders, which can complicate recovery.
Effective treatment programs for sherm addiction typically begin with medical detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms and clear toxic chemicals from the body. Evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and group therapy, help individuals address the root causes of substance abuse and develop healthy coping strategies. Mental health support is crucial for managing the psychological effects of sherm use and preventing relapse.
Recognizing the signs of sherm stick use—such as tampered cigarette packs, unusual odors, or sudden changes in behavior—can be the first step toward getting help. If you or someone you care about is struggling with sherm addiction or other substance use disorders, reaching out for professional help is essential. At South Coast Behavioral Health, our comprehensive treatment programs in Orange County, CA, and Oklahoma City, OK, offer detox programs, evidence-based therapies, and ongoing mental health support to help you achieve lasting recovery.
The risks associated with sherm stick use are significant and can be life-altering. Don’t wait for the consequences to escalate—seek professional treatment and support to reclaim your health and well-being.
Getting Help for Sherm or PCP Use
Sherm use is far more than a fleeting high—it’s a direct path to psychological, emotional, and physical harm. With long-term effects ranging from memory loss to psychosis, and short-term risks that include self-injury and violent outbursts, this is a drug that can quickly ruin lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with sherm or PCP use, professional help at a drug and alcohol treatment center in Orange County is essential. Wet drug abuse requires comprehensive treatment approaches that address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Recovery is possible, but it starts with recognizing the threat and reaching out for support. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances for a healthy, lasting recovery.
Behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are effective in treating sherm addiction. Support groups and community networks provide essential emotional support for individuals recovering from sherm addiction. After detox, individuals usually move on to a treatment program that includes therapy and support. Medical professionals typically tailor treatment plans for sherm addiction to individual needs. Inpatient rehab programs are effective for treating sherm addiction and often include dual diagnosis care for co-occurring mental health issues.
- Phencyclidine Intoxication and Adverse Effects: A Clinical and Pharmacological Review of an Illicit Drug – PMC
- PCP Fast Facts
- Recent advances in the phencyclidine model of schizophrenia – PubMed
- PCP: from pharmacology to modelling schizophrenia – ScienceDirect
- Young men at highest risk of schizophrenia linked with cannabis use disorder | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Phencyclidine Toxicity – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
