Is It Possible for Humans to Smoke Catnip?
Have you ever sprinkled a little catnip on your kitty’s favorite toy and thought to yourself, “Can people smoke catnip?” After all, catnip is a dried herb, and people can safely smoke various natural herbs.
Not only can you smoke catnip, but doing so could help you enjoy some unique benefits. This aromatic herb has a notably sedative effect on humans, which is funny considering how hyper it can make your cat!
But how does catnip work? Let’s explore what happens when you smoke catnip!
What Is Catnip?
Firstly, let’s quickly define what catnip is. After all, you might have seen this green stuff at the pet store before, but where does it come from?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb that’s a member of the mint family. As such, catnip plants tend to produce a strong odor, especially when the leaves are bruised or dried.
This plant is known for attracting cats, who then eat the leaves to enjoy its euphoric effects. As such, it’s often grown, dried, packaged, and sold to pet stores all over the world.
But some pet store cat nips also contain dyes to make them appear greener or added chemicals to preserve freshness. If you’re going to smoke some catnip, you’ll want to ensure that it’s organically grown and dried.
Is It Safe To Smoke Catnip?
Now that you know what catnip is, it’s time to answer the question: Is it safe to smoke catnip? As with any other dried herb, smoking does pose certain risks.
Anything that produces visible smoke also has potentially carcinogenic chemicals, which you could inhale when smoking catnip. If you are prone to respiratory illness, you may not want to smoke catnip or other herbs.
That said, smoking catnip doesn’t seem to build a dependency, unlike nicotine-filled tobacco products. As such, it may be a safer option than smoking traditional cigarettes or cigars.
Smoking catnip from a dry herb vaporizer could help you reduce the number of unwanted chemicals entering your lungs with each pull. Of course, smoking a rolled cigarette with a filter may also help.
Catnip produces some notable effects when smoked or brewed into a tea, and these effects could be beneficial.
Benefits of Smoking Catnip
Dried catnip has a very bitter taste that isn’t necessarily pleasant. However, when smoked and inhaled, it can have a powerful, almost menthol-like effect. Still, this herb isn’t precisely the most pleasant-tasting option.
So why do people smoke catnip? The answer lies in its effects.
You see, while catnip might produce a euphoric effect in cats, it has the opposite effect on humans. So many folks smoke catnip to enjoy:
- Reduced Anxiety
- Relaxed Muscles
- Reduced Cigarette Cravings
After smoking catnip, you might feel a little tired, light-headed, and relaxed. In this way, a catnip cigarette very nearly mimics the sensation of smoking tobacco.
Catnip can also help reduce feelings of anxiety, helping you both mentally and physically calm down. Though it won’t make you feel high, its minty taste and potent effects could be appealing to some smokers.
If you’ve been trying to quit smoking tobacco, switching to an herbal alternative like catnip could be a wise decision. After all, nicotine is highly addictive, and smoking tobacco has been linked to a higher cancer risk.
Still, catnip doesn’t agree with everyone, especially when smoked. Some may not enjoy the taste, while others might want to avoid the potential health risks. But catnip isn’t the only herb you may want to consider.
Smoking Alternatives To Help Quit Tobacco
Instead of going cold turkey or switching to foul-tasting gum, you could gradually switch to an herbal alternative to tobacco. While catnip is one possible option, you could also try:
- Green Tea
- Mixed Herb Cigarettes
Lavender is one of the most popular herbaceous flowers in the world. Its gorgeous purple stalks can brighten up a garden and make your home smell great. But lavender also has several therapeutic effects and benefits.
Just as with catnip, lavender is a perennial herb that’s often lauded for its medicinal purposes. In addition, the scent of lavender, namely lavender oil, can produce a calming, relaxing effect.
Many baby shampoos contain lavender oil to help little ones keep calm during bathtime and drift off to sleep soon after. You can also use it in an oil diffuser to make your bedroom a more serene and welcoming space.
But did you know that you could also smoke lavender? This herb, when dried, may make an excellent substitute for tobacco cigarettes. Its most notable effect is making you drowsy enough to drift off to sleep.
If you’ve been looking for an herb to help keep you focused and alert, you might shy away from catnip or lavender. But green tea could be an excellent solution, as it contains caffeine.
In fact, most people that smoke green tea do so to enjoy a quick caffeine buzz. It’s also a popular option among those trying to quit smoking tobacco. Still, if you choose this option, select an organic loose leaf instead of bags.
Mixed Herb Cigarettes
Of course, you could also try a mixed herb cigarette. These can produce a wide range of effects and come in many flavors and ingredient mixes.
As such, you can choose a mixed herb cigarette that fits your needs and preferences. So whether you’re looking for something to keep you calm or to help focus your mind, there’s a mixed herb option for you!
Try Catnip for Humans Today
Catnip might be a favorite among felines, but it could also be a helpful herb for humans. You could smoke catnip or make it into a tea and enjoy its relaxing, calming effects.
If you’ve considered quitting smoking tobacco, or you’re looking for a new way to relax, you may want to try smoking herbal cigarettes that contain a blend of beneficial natural ingredients. There are several brands to try.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to read on to learn how to quit smoking today!