If you’ve been following along with my 8 mos old kitten Willow, you know me by now so you probably figured I’ve been experimenting with catnip herb.
Last night, Willow sniffed a catnip-laced toy and within seconds went from calm and composed to bunny-kicking a Q-tip like she was in a UFC match and sprinting laps around the house like she had a triple shot of espresso. And then… she was quiet.
Meanwhile, I’m standing there fumbling with the video on my phone (but still thinking like a pharmacist), what the heck is going on in that brain!
There are times I think she’s the smartest cat ever, because I’ve trained her to do tricks. And then there are other moments I think if she had a brain-eating bacteria, it would starve to death.
Regardless, I got dried catnip herb from the local herbal apothecary and made myself a cup of tea to see what would happen to me.
You can buy it online or at any health food store. Later, I sprayed some of her catnip essential oil spray.
What is Catnip?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is part of the mint family, which already tells you a lot. It has a smell kind of like an herbal/mint scent, but it’s not as sharp or strong as real mint. As you know, many plants in the mint family have medicinal effects on our nervous system and digestion. And they’ve been studied for eons. Quick note I put Willow in my featured image above —but that’s actually wheatgrass, not catnip. I’ll write about that another day, because yes… cats love that too.
Think of lemon balm or peppermint and how they’re gentle, yet effective in how they can calm a nervous or upset stomach. Those would work well with enzymes such as papain (so eat papaya). Have you heard of that? If not, read my other article, 6 Amazing Benefits of Papaya and Papain.
The primary active compound in catnip is called “nepetalactone.” And this is where the pharmacy gets fascinating, because that very same compound behaves completely differently depending on if you’re human or cat!
Why Felines Go Wild (But You Don’t)
In cats, nepetalactone binds to receptors in their nose, which then chemically signals areas deep inside the brain like the amygdala and hypothalamus. These are tied to emotion, reward, and instinctive behavior.
That’s when you see the funny “catnip episode.” It’s temporary, harmless, and very entertaining. It’s not like cannabis meaning cats don’t get “high,” it’s more like they’re whiffing an essential oil that’s delightful to them.
In people though, that nepetalactone doesn’t activate us. It’s pretty much the opposite.
So instead of revving us up, it calms the nervous system, likely through the GABA substance that is most elevated when you’re sleeping. GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is your primary calming neurotransmitter system, especially when you sleep. I talk about GABA in this blog I wrote: 5 Key Neurotransmitters and 8 Solutions for Anxiety: Cure the Worry!
The point is, catnip relaxes humans and wires cats.
Humans simply don’t process nepetalactone through that same pathway. Cats react because of receptors in their nose. For us, it’s in the stomach.
So when we get into catnip (like in a tea or supplement), the compounds are absorbed through our intestinal tract, and then send calming signals to our brain.
So instead of stimulation, in humans you get:
- Reduced neuronal noise
- Relaxation of smooth muscle
- A subtle calming effect on the mind and body
It’s less like flipping a switch… and more like dimming the lights. And here’s the key takeaway I always come back to this: Herbs don’t have just one action on the body. They interact with biology and biology is different depending on the species, the dose, and even the route of administration (whiffing vs sipping)!
So Willow inhales it… and throws a party. I steep it… and exhale.
Same plant. Different pharmacology.
Here are 7 ways you can use catnip herb in case you want to integrate this into your life:
1. Anxiety & Stress — A Gentle Nervous System Reset
If your nervous system sometimes feels like it’s stuck in “on” mode, catnip may help turn it off a little.
It’s considered a “nervine,” and while we don’t have large modern clinical trials, the research is fairly consistent. From a mechanistic standpoint, it likely supports GABA activity, which helps quiet neuronal firing and reduce that internal buzz of overstimulation.
When I tried it after dinner, I didn’t feel sedated or foggy. I just felt… smoother. Yawned a couple times. But it didn’t put me to sleep. The kind of calm that doesn’t interfere with your thinking, it just softens the edges of your day. You can sip it during the day without major impairment.
2. Sleep — When Your Brain Won’t Power Down
This is where catnip might shine for some people with a certain type of insomnia.
Not the kind where you’re exhausted and can’t stay asleep (sleep latency), but the kind where your body is tired, but your brain refuses to cooperate.
Catnip doesn’t knock you out like Ambien. It’s not even as strong as valerian herb. It works further upstream, by calming the nervous system just enough to allow sleep to happen naturally. If your issue is more like mental overactivity where you feel “tired but wired,” this herb makes a lot of sense to take at bedtime.
3. Digestive Support — The Brain–Gut Connection
One of the most interesting benefits is its effect on digestion.
Catnip has mild antispasmodic and carminative properties, which simply means it helps relax smooth muscle. That matters more than people realize, because your entire intestinal tract is made of smooth muscle.
So when that tissue is tight, reactive, or spasming, you would feel it as mild cramping, bloating, flatulence, or just general tummy discomfort.
And here’s the connection I always come back to: When your nervous system is calm, your gut often follows.
That’s because the gut and brain are connected. I even wrote an article about that called, 5 Tips to Boost Serotonin: How the Gut-Brain Axis Works.
So I think catnip could be particularly helpful for you if you have stomach problems that worsen with stress or anxiety.
4. Menstrual Cramps — A Logical Extension
Because a woman’s uterus is also smooth muscle, catnip’s relaxing effect can help here as well.
It can ease menstrual cramping and pre-menstrual tension. It’s not for treating underlying conditions like endometriosis, but for cramps and that tight, irritable feeling some women get during their period. I really think this could be a gentle, effective option if taken during the week of your cycle.
5. Tension Headaches: Nothing Dramatic, just Sensible
Tension headaches are often a combination of muscle tightness, vascular changes, and an overstimulated nervous system. Catnip addresses all three of these areas. By calming the nervous system and relaxing muscle tone, it may reduce the cascade of cytokines that leads to that dull, pressure-like head pain.
If tension headaches trouble you, I put together a free ebook that walks you through simple, natural ways to get relief – download it here. Xxx widget
It’s not a rescue remedy, but it fits beautifully into prevention or early intervention. You can read more about this in my paperback book, HEADACHE FREE.
6. Mild Fevers & Colds
Historically, catnip has been used to make you sweat.
That may sound old-fashioned, but there’s logic behind it. Sweating is your body’s way of regulating temperature if you have a mild fever. Herbalists would often combine catnip with elderflower or peppermint for this purpose. If you have a fever and want to break it, try some catnip.
7. For Your Cat: And Then There’s Willow
While I’m sipping my tea and thinking about GABA receptors and smooth muscle physiology… Willow is rolling around on the floor like she just discovered disco.
Same plant.
Totally different biology.
How to Use Catnip (For Humans)
The easiest way is as a tea. Just steep about one teaspoon of dried herb in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Add some honey or agave.
One to two cups in the evening is a reasonable place to start. It won’t interact with melatonin in case you also take that for sleep. But while I’m thinking about it, you may not be taking your melatonin at the right time, most people take it when they hop in bed (wrong) so read this: Melatonin: Why You’re Probably Taking It Wrong (and How to Fix That)
Catnip is generally well tolerated, but “natural” doesn’t mean “do whatever you want.” I would avoid it during pregnancy due to its potential negative effect on the uterus during pregnancy. And if you’re already taking sedatives like sleep aids, or heavy-duty opiates, just be mindful of layering effects, and the additional central nervous system depressant effect, even if it’s mild it’s still additive.
Summary
Catnip isn’t flashy. It’s not trending, it won’t put you to sleep either. It certainly won’t replace your medications like benzos or Z drugs. It’s not considered a superfood either.
But it’s a beautiful plant, and a ton of fun if you have a cat that reacts to it. For humans, and from a pharmacology standpoint, I’d say it’s quietly elegant and effective at gentle relaxation. This is an herb that slightly increases GABA activity, which softens the body. It may act like a few sips of wine in that regard. Catnip relaxes smooth muscle, and calms the nervous system without forcing too much the way valerian might.
Catnip is the kind of herbal remedy I’ve seen people come back to over and over again. Willow will keep using it like it’s her nightclub drink. And I’ll keep sipping it like a cup of calm, especially since it doesn’t interact with my Sleep Script. I do recommend a little honey or agave to sweeten it. If you take supplements, always start low and go slow.
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Suzy Cohen, RPh, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years, blending conventional medicine with natural approaches to help people feel better and live healthier. She is the founder of Script Essentials, a supplement company known for targeted, custom-formulated products, some with patented innovations.
With a special focus on thyroid health, functional medicine, and drug-induced nutrient depletion (what she calls “drug muggers”), Suzy is the author of several books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, and Diabetes Without Drugs. She also writes a nationally syndicated health column and shares practical, easy-to-understand guidance with readers around the world.
