From the Desk of
Ask Ubergato

     Dear Sunnydaze, thank you for writing. Catnip to us is much like ginseng is to humans. It energizes and invigorates. In short it makes us feel like kittens again.
     Giving catnip to kittens however is a sure recipe for destruction. As a kitten already has the potential energy equal to it's own weight in TNT, the addition of catnip to the mix can lead to shredded carpets, drapes, furniture and possibly walls, ceilings and appliances, depending on the potency of the "nip". 
     Used judiciously however it has beneficial effects to adult cats. Used profusely it leads to waking up in a strange alley wearing a bathrobe that  doesn't belong to you, with a parking ticket in it written out to a T130 russian battle tank which seems to be missing from the local war museum. Not that I have ever used catnip profusely.(coughs)
     I hope this answers your question and I remain sincerely,

     Ubergato (Overcatus Catnipus)