Cross Breeds

What chemical compound in catnip causes the cats to act so funny?

How does it alter their state of mind?

Public Comments

1. nice picture!
2. Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well.
3. Marijuana
4. The one that messes with the neurotransmitters.
5. it's the "nip" in catnip, that does it. Imagine what you feel like after 6 beers - that's what your cat feels like after six wiffs. why are we making cats into druggies? this madness must stop!
6. I remember hearing once that there are trace amounts of THC within the catnip. This could explain their behavior (and their crash after they finish)