This then enabled an enhanced form of telepathic contact, sometimes over many light years. ( TOS: ' Dagger of the Mind', ' The Devil in the Dark' VOY: ' Ex Post Facto', ' Meld', ' Flashback' Star Trek III: The Search for Spock) In some cases, portions of one melder's katra could be left behind with the other. Aftereffects could be treated with the drug lexorin. The melding resulted in some loss of identity, and could be difficult to break, especially when the subject's mind was powerful or dynamic. It could be physically debilitating for both parties and involved pressure changes which could potentially aggravate existing conditions.

( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock TOS: ' Return to Tomorrow', ' Turnabout Intruder' TNG: ' The Schizoid Man' DS9: ' The Passenger', ' Facets' VOY: ' Warlord') ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ENT: ' The Forge') Vulcans (and Trill, through the zhian'tara ritual) did this without aid, whereas a number of people and species were able to achieve similar feats with technology, such as the Arretans, Janice Lester, Dr. ( Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock) A special, appropriately prepared receptacle, such as a katric ark, could also be used. ( VOY: ' Think Tank')Ī mind meld could even be used to transfer the entire personality or ' soul' (known to Vulcans as the katra) of an individual into another body. Dukat explained this ability to resist as 'simply a matter of discipline.' ( DS9: ' The Maquis, Part II') Hazari could also resist a mind meld. Cardassian Gul Dukat resisted a forcible attempt by Vulcan Maquis member Sakonna to mind meld with him during an interrogation Sakonna performed on behalf of the Maquis. Some species, including Cardassians, could resist the technique, shielding their thoughts from the attempted probe. ( Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country) ( TOS: ' Mirror, Mirror', et al.)Ī mind meld could also be used by its initiator to probe another person's mind, while the melder shielded his or her own mind from being read by the other participant. ( TOS: ' The Devil in the Dark') When physical contact was used in a mind meld with a humanoid, the initiator placed the tips of their fingers at key locations on the head of the other participant.

Physical contact was not strictly required but could enhance the effectiveness of the Vulcan's telepathic abilities.

Mind meld magazine