New psychoactive substances (NPSs) are a heterogenous group of psychotropic molecules and diverted pharmaceutical drugs sold worldwide as legal substitutes for controlled drugs. The psychiatric consequences of NPS use are relatively unknown, although evidence of related psychotic symptoms has been described in the literature. We sought to summarize the available evidence on NPS-related psychiatric disorders, to facilitate the interpretation of the molecular mechanism underlying their specific pathologies. A literature search of Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted including studies published between 2013 and 2024, in which a correlation between NPS consumption and psychiatric symptoms was reported. Furthermore, the short- and long-term psychopathological effects were included. The literature search resulted in 109 NPS-related intoxication cases in which acute or chronic psychiatric symptoms were reported, mostly related to synthetic cannabinoids, followed by synthetic cathinones, hallucinogens, natural NPSs and stimulants. The most common acute symptoms were hallucinations, aggressiveness, and psychotic and bizarre behavior, related to the molecular disbalance of neurotransmitters in the central nervous systems, with different mechanisms. The lack of clear diagnostic criteria and toxicological analyses has resulted in crucial complications in psychiatric diagnoses related to NPS intoxication. Hence, the implementation of toxicological screening procedures in emergency rooms, including the main NPS classes, should support the diagnosis of acute intoxication and its proper therapeutic treatment. Finally, proper follow-up should be implemented to assess the chronic sequelae.

The continuous search for new qualities and the desirability of controlling the size, shape and the chemical features had led to the successful synthesis of various molecular containers and their complexes starting from resorcarene skeleton. The rigidified cavitands have been extended to capture in their round hug bigger and bigger molecules. By covalent synthesis many kinds of new hosts have been built, that maintain guests in their prison for more and more long time. Self assembly, driven by metal-ligand interaction, van der Waals forces, hydrophobicity and, mainly, hydrogen bonds, is at the base of capsules, a novel type of compounds with a peculiar inner phase, stereochemistry and reactivity. The amazing variety of hollow buildings with a resorcarene-based framework and often unique properties is reviewed.