Effect of Drugs on Catnip (Nepeta cataria)-Induced Pleasure Behavior in Cats

Abstract

SUMMARY Cats exposed to stuffed toys sprayed with catnip (Nepeta cataria) extract exhibited pleasurable behavior which was divisible into 6 phases and which terminated in approximately 10 minutes. Preadministered drugs which shortened the response included atropine sulfate, physostigmine, neostigmine, pilocarpine, mecamylamine, methysergide, and pentobarbital. Hexamethonium, amphetamine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, atropine plus methysergide, and diphenylhydantoin abolished the response. The effect of diphenylhydantoin took several weeks to disappear. Response was prolonged by morphine, chlorpromazine, and histidine. Atropine methyl nitrate, N -(2-chloroethyl) dibenzylamine, propranolol, and chlorpheniramine did not affect duration of response. Most drugs and several environmental, physiologic, and psychologic factors altered the response qualitatively. The results indicated peripheral nicotinic and central muscarinic cholinoceptive and serotonergic facilitation of the catnip response, with a prominent voluntary component. Inhibition of response seemingly involved central muscarinic and nicotinic cholinoceptive mechanisms linked with an adrenoceptive component. Interrelationships proposed for these components support current concepts of behavior control. The catnip response may be suited to the study of pleasure behavior and olfaction and may be used as a model of human reactions to marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide ( lsd ).