Why do cats love catnip

But while cats may appear to be enjoying themselves when they're rolling around in catnip, scientists can't say for sure what's happening in the cat's brain and how it's being affected by the plant, Kornreich told Live Science. However, some studies have shown that when cats are given compounds like naloxone that block opioid receptors in the central nervous system, catnip's effects are minimized or even eliminated, suggesting that opioid receptors might be involved. If a cat has behaviors that can be blocked by naloxone, might one of those behaviors — in the cat's perception — be euphoria?

It's possible, but we don't know for sure," Kornreich said. Not all cats respond strongly to catnip. But far more cats may be susceptible to the plant than once thought. But a study published in in the journal Behavioural Processes suggests that some cats may exhibit a less active response to the plant. Even domestic cats' wild cousins aren't immune to catnip's effects. Hunters have used catnip to trap cougars and mountain lions, hanging dried plants to lure the big cats with their tempting aroma, Simon said.

Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Why does this nondescript plant drive this ferocious carnivore crazy? Are you high?

I need some answers. Catnip comes from the plant Nepeta cataria , a herbaceous member of the mint family native to Europe and Asia. When cats get a whiff of it, they seem compelled to sniff, lick and chew its flowers and leaves, rub their faces and bodies on the plant, roll around, shake their heads and drool.

Not all cats are affected, though. This frenzy of excitement usually lasts around 15 minutes. After that, they become immune to its effects for around an hour. In humans, endorphins lower stress, inhibit pain and make us feel rewarded. Any humans looking for a high by smoking catnip may be disappointed. Some people do enjoy a brew of catnip tea, and advocate it as a mild sedative or a herbal medicine, but there are no reliable studies documenting psychoactive effects in humans. Many big cats — including lions, leopards and jaguars all seem to be affected in the same way.