Keep Nepeta Cataria for the Cats

What is it about drugging your cat that is so appealing?

What is it about catnip that is... uh.... so appealing?

The scientific name for catnip is Nepeta cataria. It's a herb related to peppermint and spearmint, which is why we cats also like mint.

Catnip produces an organic compound called nepetalactone, and the release of nepetalactone sets off a euphoric reaction through up into our brains to our amygdala and hypothalamus as though it's a pheromone.

It can make us lazy or very silly. Me personally? It makes me lazy.

It only lasts about 5 to 15 minutes or so.

Rumour has it that some humans use it for migraines, insomnia, arthritis and insect repellant.

BUT, I'm sure uh... some of you humans have some sort of much smellier herb that you can associate this with.

I have to say that catnip smells MUCH better than your herb.

There's a family of furry bandits that live in a hole by the river and their toots smell just like it.