Is catnip drugs for cats?

Most people think of catnip as having drug-like effects on their cats. Some cats lick it, eat it, or just sniff it and owners can see a definite behavior change. Catnip is actually a plant from the mint family. It contains the chemical trans-nepetalactone which causes the cat's odd behavior. Peppermints tea, garlic, gingers, and lemons are also plants in the mint family.