Whenever we offer a pinch of catnip or a catnip-filled toy to our cat, she responds either in a dramatic or silly manner. She might roll on her back, drool, lick the catnip and rub it on her face and body. Her actions seem goofy and comical, and somewhat resemble who is pleasantly under the influence of recreational drugs. Catnip belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes aromatic herbs such as rosemary, sage, oregano, and basil. Cats are attracted to the fragrance of nepetalactone, which binds to receptors in their noses and often produces behavior that appears euphoric.