Some researchers have speculated that nepetalactone acts as a feline attractant because it is chemically similar to cat pheromones: when cats smell catnip they seek it out, often licking, scratching, or rolling in the plant to release more active compounds. Cats will often appear giddy, drowsy, drunk, and playful after a catnip snack; however, some cats also display heightened aggression after consuming catnip. About one third of cats will exhibit no reaction at all, as sensitivity to catnip is an inherited trait.
Human reactions to catnip vary depending on whether the plant is smoked or taken orally as a tea, juice or tincture. In herbal medicine, catnip tea is used to promote feelings of calm and to relieve chest congestion and muscle tension; some users also report that catnip tea has a slightly hypnotic effect and makes a good evening relaxation or sleep herb. You can control the potency of catnip tea by how long you steep it; a longer steeping will produce more potent effects.
Some people who have tried both report that catnip tea is also gentler on the stomach than smoking catnip. While you certainly can smoke catnip, its effectiveness varies for different people.
When smoked catnip is effective, its most common effects include warming throughout the body, a general sense of relaxation and calm, and a sense of mild euphoria sometimes accompanied by giddiness. However, it is hypothesized that nepetalactone might mimic the shape of pheromones when binding to the nasal receptors. Regardless of the underlying reason, nepetalactone triggers an intense, intoxicated reaction in most cats.
Once they're finished reacting, and they just sit there, it's like they're basically just a little bit buzzed. Nepetalactone isn't the only chemical that triggers this sort of response in cats. Others include actinidine and iridomyrmecin, which are both naturally found in various plants. One interesting thing about this reaction, Grognet says, is that although it looks something like the frenzied, uncontrollable high a human might experience upon taking a hard drug, it's a bit different.
A cat will pretty much do the exact same thing every time it smells it," he says. The cat isn't rubbing their face and rolling in the catnip to get more of it as I'd assumed , but simply because getting high by inhaling the catnip compels them to do so.
Another difference between catnip and the drugs humans use is that not all cats are susceptible to it. It's estimated that around 70 percent to 80 percent are affected, and that the trait is passed on genetically.
For the cats that are susceptible, there don't appear to be any negative health effects, and they don't develop a tolerance over time. Catnip doesn't have the same sort of impact on us, because our olfactory systems and brains are differently structured. But it may have some subtler effects, and people have been using it for a long time.
As far back as the s, Europeans used the plant as a mild sedative , brewing tea with its leaves, making juice from them, and even smoking or chewing them. At various times, the plant was believed to cure colic in infants and excessive flatulence, hives, and toothaches in adult. In the s, catnip was occasionally used as a substitute for marijuana, with some users claiming it caused hallucinations and euphoria when smoked by humans.
Eventually, though, scientists determined this was not the case. It does, however, have one positive effect. Back in the s, scientists discovered that catnip's active chemical acts as a mosquito repellant — one that's actually more powerful than DEET, though it wears off more quickly. In fact, if you want a less harsh alternative to DEET, c atnip-based mosquito repellants are still available. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding.
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Rats were fed chow enriched with catnip leaves, which resulted in increased penile erections and improved sexual behaviors. Yes, you can smoke catnip.
There are older reports that catnip was once used in place of cannabis or as filler in weed since it produced similar effects , like making you feel happy and slightly buzzed. First, cannabis is way more potent and effective than catnip for those looking to enjoy psychoactive effects. Catnip also burns too fast on its own, and needs to be mixed with tobacco for a more complete burn. That means smoking it carries the same risks as smoking tobacco does.
Even without throwing tobacco into the mix, inhaling any type of smoke — even from herbal products — is harmful. According to the American Cancer Society , all smoke contains particulates, chemicals, and toxins that can cause cancer and be dangerous to your health. Some reported getting a wicked headache and vomiting from it. You can also use catnip essential oil to help you relax and relieve a tension headache.
There are a couple ways to do this:. As with trying any new herb, supplement, or vitamin, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have an underlying medical condition or take any medication. They can determine whether you may experience any negative interactions. Smoking it just might not be the best way to do so. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade.
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