Catnip consists of dried plant material, it can cause behavior changes in cats, and some people claim it has a calming effect when consumed in a tea. Does this mean it’s similar to cannabis?  Can you smoke catnip?

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What’s in Catnip?

Catnip is an alternate name for nepeta cataria, which is an herb that is part of the mint family. This plant is also sometimes referred to as catmint. It is native to Europe and Asia, but it grows easily in many other parts of the world, including the U.S.

When cats encounter catnip, they often respond by rolling around on it, rubbing their face against it, drooling, and meowing. In a May 2007 Scientific American article, veterinarian Ramona Turner explained why this occurs:

• The catnip plant naturally contains an oil called nepetalactone. 
• Experts estimate that 70%-80% of cats are sensitive to nepetalactone, though they usually don’t exhibit this sensitivity until they’re about six months old.
• When a catnip-sensitive cat sniffs the plant, nepetalactone molecules are absorbed into their nasal tissue.
• The nepetalactone molecules interact with receptors that are linked to multiple parts of the feline brain, including the amygdala and the hypothalamus. 

“The amygdala integrates the information flow from the olfactory bulb cells and projects to areas governing behavior responses,” Turner observed. “The hypothalamus regulates neuroendocrine responses through the pituitary gland, creating a ‘sexual response.’ That is, the cat essentially reacts to an artificial cat pheromone.”

Can You Smoke Catnip?

As we noted in the introduction to today’s post, catnip and cannabis have a few common qualities. How far do these similarities extend? Can people get high from catnip? Can you smoke catnip?

Let’s address those final two questions one at a time.

First, can people get high from catnip? Ingesting catnip does not cause the same type of effects in humans that marijuana induces. However, that doesn’t mean that catnip has no impact whatsoever on people.

According to a June 1990 article in The Canadian Veterinary Journal, people have been consuming catnip for hundreds of years in many different forms, such as drinking it in tea or juice, chewing it, and applying it as a poultice. Historically, the plant has been used to treat a range of physical and mental health conditions, including:

• Headaches
• Nervousness
• Hysteria
• Colic
• Flatulence
• Hiccups
• Swelling
• Pain

Today, some sources continue to promote catnip tea as a way to alleviate concerns such as indigestion, anxiety, and insomnia. However, minimal current research exists to document these claims.

As to the second question, can you smoke catnip, the general consensus seems to be that you can, but you shouldn’t. Here are a few reasons why it probably isn’t a good idea:

• If you’re seeking a recreational high, smoking catnip won’t provide it. 
• If you’re hoping for relief of certain symptoms, there are an array of safer and more effective options.
• Smoking any substance can irritate your throat and cause other respiratory problems.
• Smoking catnip can cause side effects such as headache and nausea. 
• Having catnip in your system can lead to problematic interactions with certain types of prescription medications.

Is Smoking Catnip a Sign of Addiction?

Smoking catnip isn’t one of the criteria for substance use disorders (addictions) as they are defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). But that doesn’t mean this behavior is nothing to worry about.

Using substances that aren’t designed for human consumption – such as catnip, mouthwash, glue, or household solvents – in an attempt to get drunk or high can be a sign of a serious problem. If you only tried this approach once, it may be evidence of little more than poor judgment. But if you feel compelled to use catnip or any other substances on a regular basis, it’s probably time for you to talk to your doctor or schedule an assessment at a qualified addiction treatment provider near you.

Addiction is characterized by the inability to control the amount and frequency of your substance use, even if you know that what you’re doing can put you or others in harm’s way. If you don’t get the help you need, the urges and other symptoms of your addiction are unlikely to get better on their own, and may only worsen over time.

The good news is that addictions are treatable behavioral health conditions. When you get effective care from a reputable provider, you can regain control of your thoughts and actions, end your substance use for good, and begin to build a healthier future in recovery.

Learn More About Addiction Treatment in Atlanta

If your life has been disrupted by compulsive substance use, Buckhead Behavioral Health is here to help.

Treatment options at our outpatient rehab in Atlanta, GA, include outpatient detox, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), an evening IOP, and a virtual IOP. In each of these programs, you can expect to receive personalized care from a team of dedicated professionals. 

We’ll work closely with you to identify the full scope of your needs and help you set realistic short- and long-term goals. Then we’ll develop a customized plan to address your unique challenges and prepare you for a more hopeful life in recovery. With our guidance and a concerted effort on your part, you can learn to manage your symptoms and start to enjoy a substance-free lifestyle.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.