Mind meld

The Vulcan mind meld is a telepathic technique employed exclusively by Vulcans in which the minds of two individuals become a single entity.

Typically physical contact is required for a meld, however particularly powerful melders, such as Slovaak, are capable of performing melds remotely (ST game: Away Team). Melding is a deeply personal experience as the two minds of the medlees are entirely open to each other, however melding can be used as an interrogation technique in which case the melder can block the medlees access to there own mind.

Melding can be dangerous, particularly so when conducted with a non-Vulcans but it can also be a useful tool, some neurological conditions can be cured by a mind melds. Further, melds often result in part of each of the participant’s knowledge and mental state being transferred to each other and are also the manor in which someone can deposit or obtain a katra.

Despite the practise of melding dating back to the time of Surak, by the mid-22nd century something of a stigma had developed around melding, those who were capable of or practiced melding were seen as an undesirably minority. As a consequence Pa'nar Syndrome, a condition contracted by melding also became taboo subject. Ironically Pa'nar Syndrome can easily be cured by a meld with an experienced melder. Fortunately following reforms on Vulcan in 2154 melding once again became socially acceptable. (Enterprise episodes: Fusion, Stigma and Kir'Shara)