What Is Catnip? A Guide To Your Cat’s Favorite Plant

What is catnip exactly? Well, it’s a flowering plant native to different places around the world such as southeastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China. This plant was later introduced to the Americas where it became naturalized.

It is goes by the scientific name Nepeta cataria: it literally has “cat” in the name. However, you might see this unique plant referred to as catmint or catswort as well.

It is herbaceous and can grow between two or three feet tall on average. If you plan to grow some nip in your yard, expect it to flower all summer long. It’s a perennial so this plant will stick around in your garden for a while (with many benefits).

As a plant,  is very hardy due to its resistance to drought.

What is catnip? Is it a drug?

Kind of, yeah – for cats.

It is contains a compound known as nepetalactone which can produce either a stimulant or relaxing effect in cats depending on the method of ingestion.

A lot of people compare it to marijuana or refer to it as weed for cats but this isn’t entirely accurate. For one thing, your cat’s high from catnip only lasts about five to 15 minutes and, after it wears off, they won’t be able to re-activate that nepetalactone high again for a few hours.

For another thing, cannabis and catnip target different receptors in the brain with different compounds: THC and nepetalactone respectively. If it was just like weed for cats, it would impact similar areas of the brain and humans would likely notice the affects as well.

It is similar to cannabis, however, in that every cat responds to it differently.

Unfortunately, no one is really studying the methods of action of nepetalactone in the cat brain, so we’ll probably never know if different strains of it affect cats differently. Truth be told, I’ve noticed my cat scoff and turn her nose up at the cheap catnip I presented her – so who knows.

Also, like cannabis, it produces a different effect depending on how it’s ingested. If a cat consumes catnip, it tends to act more as a sedative. If a cat rolls around in the dried plant to release the oils, it tends to act as a stimulant.

Whether or not this high is similar to a high from weed isn’t clear (but it’s probably kind of different).

 Yes, it is perfectly safe.

Nepetalactone mimics a kitty pheromone and binds to the olfactory receptors.

Don’t worry: your cat can’t overdose. Eating too much  might make him throw up (just like when he eats grass) but it won’t hurt him in any way.

Limit catnip intake to one to three times a week for your cat. This will make sure he stays receptive to the effects without building a tolerance.

Catnip is very easy to use. Here’s how to use  for maximum fun:

Now you know what catnip is used for in cats – but what it is used for in humans?

Can it get humans high?

That depends on who you ask but no, it will definitely not get you high. Humans do not respond to nepetalactone the same way cats do so people won’t experience the same effect.

However, that’s not to say it is completely useless to humans.

In fact, cultures around the world have used catnip for centuries due to its medicinal properties. In humans, it can help alleviate a broad range of conditions including:

Humans can use catnip a few different ways. Brew it into a tea or look for catnip tea at your local health shop. You can also find liquid catnip tinctures and capsules with dried herb. Some people even suggest smoking catnip but please don’t do that.

Just make sure to hide your own stash from your cat!

Like other herbs, it should be used with particular care in humans. Children and pregnant women should not consume catnip.

It has a strong effect on the central nervous system (CNS) so it can interact with mood stabilizers like lithium or sedatives like Xanax, Ambien, or Klonopin.

Women with endometriosis or heavy periods should consider avoiding catnip because it can induce menstruation. Likewise, anyone undergoing surgery with general anesthetic should avoid  for a few weeks prior due to its effect on the CNS.

If you recently found out your cat doesn’t care much for the nip you’re probably feeling a little bummed.

You just wanted your cat to have some fun.

No worries: there are a few different catnip alternatives. In fact, most of these are fairly likely to work in the 33% of cats who are not affected:

Catnip is a great plant for adding some excitement to your cat’s life.

Like anything else, your cat should enjoy a good nip session every now and then in moderation to avoid building a tolerance. No, he won’t develop a dependency, but he might lose his ability to enjoy nip for a while.

Humans can also enjoy the medicinal benefits in catnip – although not in a psychoactive sense.

Go ahead and stock up on some catnip to let your cat have some fun.