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from the certain-kinds-of-weed-is-catnip-for-humans dept.
Why do cats lick and chew catnip? Researchers find an answer
Anyone who has seen a cat experience catnip knows that it makes them go a bit wild—they rub in it, roll on it, chew it, and lick it aggressively. It is widely accepted that this plant, and its Asian counterpart, silvervine, have intoxicative properties, but this might not be the only reason that cats rub on and chew the plants so enthusiastically. Researchers in Japan have found that when cats damage catnip, much higher amounts of strong insect repellents are released, indicating that the cats' behavior protects them from pests. This study appears in the journal iScience on June 14.
Catnip and silvervine leaves contain the compounds nepetalactol and nepetalactone, iridoids that protect the plants from pests. To see how cats' behavior was affecting the chemicals released by the plants, Miyazaki worked with chemists at Nagoya University. "We found that physical damage of silvervine by cats promoted the immediate emission of total iridoids, which was 10-fold higher than from intact leaves," says Miyazaki.
[....] To test if the felines were reacting to these compounds specifically, the cats were given dishes with pure nepetalactone and nepetalactol. "Cats show the same response to iridoid cocktails and natural plants except for chewing," says Miyazaki. They lick the chemicals on the plastic dish and rub against and roll over on the dish."
"When iridoid cocktails were applied on the bottom of dishes that were then covered by a punctured plastic cover, cats still exhibited licking and chewing even though they couldn't contact the chemicals directly," says Miyazaki. "This means that licking and chewing is an instinctive behavior elicited by olfactory stimulation of iridoids."
A form of catnip for Chinese bears would cause pandamoanium.
(Score: 2, Funny) by aliks on Sunday June 19 2022, @06:26AM (4 children)
Anyone who has seen a researcher experience grant money knows that it makes them go a bit wild—they rub in it, roll on it, chew it, and lick it aggressively. It is widely accepted that this money, and its Asian counterpart, bitcoin, have intoxicative properties, but this might not be the only reason that researchers rub on and chew the topic so enthusiastically.
Researchers in Japan have found that when researchers damage their budgets, much higher amounts of strong bullshit are released, indicating that the researchers' behavior protects them from government imposed cuts. This study appears in the journal iBlahblabblah on April 1.
To err is human, to comment divine
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 19 2022, @07:29AM (1 child)
Not all of them, no [vox.com]
(Score: 2) by datapharmer on Sunday June 19 2022, @12:25PM
Some people can’t get high on human drugs either: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/12/marijuana/ediblocked-some-people-cant-get-high-eating-marijuana-scientists-arent-sure-why/ [bostonglobe.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 19 2022, @01:17PM
Show us on the doll where the scientist touched you.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Monday June 20 2022, @05:19PM
Sounds like you have a great hypothesis! Get to writing that grant! I expect you proposal in a journal post, soon™.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"