# Why does catnip make cats go crazy?

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED-Ed
- Speaker: Jaap de Roode
- Year: 2026
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Teaching and learning
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/jaap_de_roode_why_does_catnip_make_cats_go_crazy)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Of the many bewildering behaviors cats display, one of the strangest is their obsession with a specific species of plant. After just one whiff, even the most stoic cat can start pawing, drooling, biting, and wriggling in a state of pure feline euphoria. So, why do cats go crazy for catnip? Jaap de Roode shares the fascinating reason why this herb sends our feline friends into a frenzy. \[Directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by André Aires\].

## Lectures

1. [Why does catnip make cats go crazy?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/jaap_de_roode_why_does_catnip_make_cats_go_crazy/8a495ee6e48b), 5 min (TED's player)