The fine-tuned interplay between the brain and the body underlies the adaptive ability to respond appropriately in the changing environment. Mindfulness Disposition (MD) has been associated with efficient emotional functioning because of a better ability to feel engaged by information from the body and to notice subtle changes. This interoceptive ability is considered to shape the ability to respond to external stimuli, especially olfaction. However, few studies have evaluated the relationships between interoception and exteroception according to MD. We conducted an exploratory study among 76 healthy subjects for first investigating whether MD is associated with better exteroception and second for describing the causal interactions network between mindfulness, interoception, emotion, and subjective and objective olfaction assessments. Results found that a high level of MD defined by clustering exhibited best scores in positive emotions, interoception, and extra sensors’ acuity. The causal network approach showed that the interactions between the interoception subscales differed according to the MD profiles. Moreover, interoception awareness is strongly connected with both the MD and the hedonic value of odors. Then, differences according to MD might provide arguments for a more mindful attention style toward interoceptive cues in relation to available exteroceptive information. This interaction might underlie positive health.

Introduction: Following a mass casualty event, such as the Paris terrorist attacks of 13 November 2015, first responders need to identify individuals at risk of PTSD. Physical peritraumatic symptoms involving the autonomic nervous system may be useful in this task. Objective: We sought to determine the trajectory of physical response intensity in individuals exposed to the Paris terrorist attacks using repeated measures, and to examine its associations with PTSD. Using network modelling, we examined whether peritraumatic physical symptom associations differed by PTSD status. Methods: Physical reactions were assessed using the Subjective Physical Reactions Scale at three time points: peritraumatic by retrospective recall, then current at one year (8–18 months) and three years (30–42 months) after the attacks. Interaction networks between peritraumatic physical reactions were compared according to PTSD status. Results: On the one hand, the reported intensity of physical reactions was significantly higher in the PTSD group at all time points. On the other hand, using the dynamic approach, more robust positive interactions between peritraumatic physical reactions were found in the PTSD group one and three years after the attacks. Negative interactions were found in the no-PTSD group at one year. Peritraumatic physical numbness was found to be the most central network symptom in the PTSD group, whereas it was least central in the no-PTSD group. Discussion: Network analysis of the interaction between peritraumatic physical subjective responses, particularly physical numbness, may provide insight into the clinical course of PTSD. Our knowledge of the brain regions involved in dissociation supports the hypothesis that the periaqueductal grey may contribute to the process leading to physical numbing. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the role of peritraumatic somatic symptoms in the course of PTSD. Peritraumatic physical numbness appears to be a key marker of PTSD and its identification may help to improve early triage.