Why does catnip make my cat go crazy?

Catnip is said to have a reasonably Psychadelic effect on cats.

Catnip has a pronounced effect on the behaviour of cats. Different cats may behave differently in response to catnip than others. Some cats roll, flip, rub, or zone out. Others may become hyperactive or agressive. Cats may also meow or growl, or both at the same time. The effect lasts around 10 minutes.

The cause of these effects is a drug in catnip called nepetalactone which enters the cat's body through the mucus membranes in the nose when the cat breathes it in.

Generally, catnip is considered safe for cats. They will usually self-regulate their exposure; if they've had too much, they will typically show disinterest and walk away.

If a cat consumes a large amount of catnip, they might experience mild digestive upset, but this is rare. With repeated exposure, some cats may become less responsive to catnip over time. This doesn't mean they've been harmed - they've simply developed a tolerance, which mean it will likely not affect them in the long run.

Overall, catnip is just a fun treat for your cat and should not cause dangerous long term effects. However, if you cat is experiencing any concerning effects, please contact your veterinarian.