In recent years, psychopharmacology has experienced a significant challenge, highlighting a renewed and strong scientific interest in psychedelics as breakthrough therapies for mental disorders. Psychedelics can influence cognitive and emotional processes, showing solid therapeutic potential, particularly in treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. Amongst the most promising compounds, ayahuasca and its main psychoactive component, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), have received considerable attention. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew traditionally prepared from the liana Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaves of Psychotria viridis. Its psychoactive properties derive mainly from DMT, while β-carbolines, which act as monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors, prevent the metabolic degradation of DMT, enhancing its bioavailability and allowing oral administration. In contrast, in monotherapy, DMT or its analog 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is generally administered via alternative routes, like inhalation, intranasal, or intravenous delivery. DMT is primarily a serotonin (5-HT)2A receptor partial agonist, whereas 5-MeO-DMT has a higher affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor compared to 5-HT2A, though other receptor targets are engaged, fostering neuroplasticity and a reorganization of brain networks involved in perception, cognition, and mood regulation. Despite limited clinical trials, current evidence offers an optimistic outlook on DMT and 5-MeO-DMT efficacy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), whereas evidence for other mental disorders studies is still preliminary. There are four phase II studies with 5-MeO-DMT and one with DMT for TRD, while there are two phase II studies with DMT fumarate for MDD. Beyond their therapeutic potential, psychedelics also represent powerful tools for exploring the human mind, offering valuable insights into brain function and mental health.

Background/Objectives: The present exploratory study evaluates the feasibility and psychological effects of a structured Qigong intervention implemented in an Italian university setting. Qigong is a traditional Chinese mind–body practice combining gentle movements, breathwork, and mindful attention, aimed at enhancing mind–body integration and interoceptive awareness. Methods: A total of 332 undergraduate students voluntarily enrolled in a 12-week Qigong program. The intervention was based on Neidan Qigong and integrated both static and dynamic exercises. Psychological functioning was assessed through several self-report measures evaluating a range of constructs, including mindfulness (FFMQ), interoceptive ability (MAIA), perceived stress (PSS), depression, anxiety, and stress (BDI; DASS-21; STAI Y), emotion regulation (DERS), alexithymia (TAS), and sleep quality (PSQI). Results: A total of 114 students completed the intervention. The protocol was well received by participants and demonstrated high feasibility in the academic context, with good attendance rates and overall engagement. Preliminary findings indicate consistent improvements across several psychological domains. Conclusions: The results suggest that Qigong may be associated with improvements in mental health and well-being in young adults and may represent a promising, low-cost intervention. The findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Further research using controlled and methodologically rigorous designs is needed to assess the stability of these effects over time, incorporate physiological measures, and clarify the specific therapeutic contribution of spontaneous movement within Qigong practice.

Introduction: This study introduces the FOUndatioNal trait-BaseD Characterization (FOUND) questionnaire, specifically developed to assess stable characteristics of perceptual, cognitive, and emotional domains associated with effective performance in mediated settings. Materials and methods: Items were derived from interviews with professionals in remote technology fields (e.g., robotic surgeons, drone pilots, crane operators) and grouped into four domains: cognitive-behavioral, socio-emotional, functional-organic, and value-based. Items, rated on a 4-point Likert scale, were designed to reflect stable traits. A panel of nine experts evaluated content validity; items with a CVI > 0.78 and a mean relevance ≥3 were retained, resulting in a 26-item scale. The factorial structure of FOUND was validated in a sample of 300 Italian participants, with convergent validity assessed, and participants were subsequently categorized into high and low procedural skill professions for known-groups comparisons (Study 1). Additionally, a separate sample of 34 remote operators (Study 2) was included to further evaluate known-groups validity. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded a final 22-item structure, identifying four factors: Perception and Action, Empathic Attitude, Stress Management, and Group-Oriented Values. Convergent validity analysis using questionnaires that assess personality and stable characteristics (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-15, Big Five Inventory-10) did not yield significant correlations, indicating that the FOUND questionnaire may provide independent information. Known-groups validity was assessed by comparing scores between professions requiring high and low procedural skills identified in the 300 participants, revealing higher scores in Perception and Action, Empathic Attitude, and Stress Management for the first group (Study 1). Comparing remote operators (i.e., drone pilots) with the general population showed that remote operators scored higher in Perception and Action and Group-Oriented Values but lower in Stress Management, highlighting distinctive characteristics of individuals engaged in remote operations (Study 2). Conclusion: The FOUND assesses perceptual, motor, cognitive, and socio-emotional constructs associated with performance in mediated and remote operations. It allows evaluation of stable traits and performance-related attitudes in contexts such as robotic surgery, telemedicine, education, and emergency response. By identifying these traits, the questionnaire can inform the design of personalized interventions and training programs tailored to individual characteristics, enhancing effectiveness in mediated environments.

Background: Inadequate management of emotional responses, limited access to emotion regulation strategies, and difficulties in emotion regulation may co-occur with alexithymic traits and interoceptive inaccuracy or confusion. These dimensions may influence lifetime eating disorder spectrum manifestations. Objective: To assess, in a general population sample without Axis I psychiatric disorders, alexithymic traits, interoceptive confusion/inaccuracy, and difficulties in emotion regulation, and to explore their associations with eating disorder spectrum manifestations. Method: In this cross-sectional observational study, fifty-two participants aged 18–30 years, recruited via a university bulletin board, were assessed online using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), Interoceptive Confusion Questionnaire (ICQ), Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) (protocol #01/2025). Results: Interoceptive confusion (ICQ) showed significant positive correlations with TAS-20, DERS, and EAT-26 total scores. ICQ scores were associated with TAS-20 subscales ‘difficulty identifying feelings’ (DIF) and ‘difficulty describing feelings’ (DDF). Participants with TAS-20 scores > 51 (n = 35; 67.3%) had significantly higher EAT-26 scores on ‘dieting’ (p = 0.043) and ‘bulimia’ (p = 0.017), as well as higher ICQ (p = 0.001) and DERS (p = 0.001) total scores, with smaller differences in the DERS ‘impulse’ subscale (p = 0.037). Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest a pattern of co-occurring traits characterized by alexithymia, interoceptive confusion, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and eating disorder spectrum features, supporting the study hypothesis.