COSMITO

1. How to stimulate human perceptual systems during IC to effectively mitigate psychological impacts?

2.  Which environmental elements can be synergized to design nurturing habitats, despite IC?

1. Develop a reliable and autonomous aid to enhance mental well-being for individuals in required IC.

2.  Integrate environmental design, psychology, and biotechnology to generate new knowledge for enhancing mental well-being. 

3. Deepen the understanding of humanity's intrinsic connection to nature and its positive effects on mental health and the human psyche, both on Earth and in outer space.

Secondary Data Analysis:  Previous space missions' psychological interventions, coping mechanisms for IC, human and plant sensory experimentation, and psychoactive medicine. 

Primary Data Collection / Experimentation: Observe and quantify human and environment interactions - 1.  Using brain cells in microfluidic devices, identify potential chemical relationships and correlations in cellular stress responses and recovery mechanisms following separate exposure to 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and plant-derived VOCs, specifically the terpenes limonene and linalool. 2. How adult, healthy humans are influenced by bio-designed indoor environments and well-being routines during IC.

Design and Development: Biotech psychological system that functions as both an autonomous mental health monitor and a therapeutic ally, providing real-time guidance to support astronauts’ mental well-being during long duration space missions.

Complex Systems Thinking: Analyzes interactions between humans and their environments, biophilic elements, and cognitive supports, uncovering patterns and strategies to enhance resilience and mental health.

Biophilia: Enhances well-being by positively influencing cognitive, psychological, and physiological systems, as shown in research.

Environmental Psychology: Explores how physical and sensory environments impact emotions, cognition, and behavior, guiding the design of space habitats to boost resilience and adaptation.

MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD:  To explore the potential for developing a therapeutic preparation for healthy individuals prior to prolonged IC exposure. 

 Robotic Biomorphism: A design approach that uses biomorphic electronic systems which emulate natural forms and interactions to reduce stress and foster connection in isolated and confined environments. 

Mixed Methods + Phased Approach with Integration of Primary and Secondary Data Collection

My methodology follows a mixed-methods, phased approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data from primary and secondary sources. Primary data will be collected through a series of experiments designed to assess human sensorial perception of biophilic stimuli and interactions, with the goal of identifying the most effective sensory combinations for countermeasure design.

Data integration will occur concurrently, as both qualitative and quantitative data will be gathered during experimental sessions. To enhance the validity of the findings, I will apply triangulation during the post-analysis phase.

The phased approach includes:

• Data Collection
   
• Data Analysis
   
• Synthesis and Reporting
   

To structure the experimental design, I am employing a complex systems thinking framework to map interdependencies between biophilic stimuli and human sensorial perception. In parallel, I am developing a morphological chart to systematically explore and refine variable combinations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to testing biophilic countermeasures.

These tools are continually informed by insights from secondary data, including literature reviews and existing research on biophilic interactions, guiding both the selection of experimental conditions and the integration of qualitative and quantitative findings.

Is the interdisciplinary study of the dynamic interactions between individuals and their built and natural environments. It explores how settings influence human behavior, emotions, and well-being, and how in turn, people shape those environments. According to Gifford (2014), environmental psychology addresses issues ranging from proenvironmental behavior and place attachment to the psychological impact of virtual and physical spaces. As people spend increasing amounts of time in artificial or confined environments, understanding how environmental features influence cognitive and emotional states has become essential for designing spaces that support mental health and resilience.

This field offers critical insights for developing sensory-driven biophilic interventions, particularly for individuals in IC environments such as space habitats, long-term care facilities, or solitary workspaces. Gifford emphasizes that nature-based elements can restore attention and reduce stress, but also notes that their effects are not universally positive or automatic, they depend on context, design, and individual differences. He argues for a complex systems approach to environmental interventions, calling for greater integration of psychological theory, design strategy, and behavioral data (Gifford, 2014). By combining complex systems thinking, morphological analysis, and real-time sensing, I seek to operationalize these insights to design responsive environments that enhance mental resilience and foster emotional connection through carefully tailored sensorial cues.

Represents a transformative development in the treatment of trauma-related psychological disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unlike traditional pharmacological treatments that often focus on symptom suppression, MDMA facilitates a state of enhanced emotional openness, trust, and self-reflection, allowing individuals to engage more deeply with the therapeutic process. Clinical trials have demonstrated that MDMA, when administered in a controlled, psychotherapeutic setting, significantly reduces PTSD symptoms with sustained effects (Bedi, 2022). This has led to growing recognition of MDMA not as a standalone drug, but as a catalyst for emotional processing and long-term healing when integrated into structured psychotherapy.

The therapeutic efficacy of MDMA appears to stem from its unique pharmacological profile: increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin while simultaneously reducing activity in the amygdala, which modulates fear responses (Bedi, 2022). These neurochemical effects foster a temporary psychological state conducive to revisiting traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed. Furthermore, the “set and setting”, the individual’s mindset and the surrounding environment play a critical role in shaping the therapeutic outcome, highlighting the importance of context in psychoactive-assisted therapies. This relationship between mental state, environment, and therapeutic success also informs my exploration of how sensorial design might serve as an environmental scaffold for emotional regulation and integration in isolated or constrained settings.