Mindmelding

Mindmelding refers to a hypothetical process by which two or more minds exchange thoughts, memories, or experiences directly, without the use of conventional communication channels. In fiction, mindmelding is often depicted as a telepathic or technologically mediated link that can convey complex information instantly and bidirectionally, sometimes enabling shared consciousness. In most popular depictions it requires training or ritual and may involve risks or ethical constraints.

In widely known science fiction, the term is most associated with the Star Trek franchise, where Vulcans perform a mind meld to share memories and broader knowledge with another person. The trope has since appeared in various novels, games, and other media, shaping popular expectations about what direct mental connection could entail. In academic and public discussions, mindmelding is used as a shorthand for debates about future neural interfaces, empathy through shared experiences, and the possibility of collective cognition.

Real-world progress toward something like mindmelding centers on brain–computer interfaces and brain-to-brain communication research. Scientists have demonstrated rudimentary forms of information transfer between brains in laboratory settings using noninvasive techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) to read signals and noninvasive stimulation methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation to deliver them to another person’s cortex. These demonstrations confirm that basic information can be transmitted between brains, but they do not recreate the rich, nuanced sharing depicted in fiction, and the field raises ethical questions about privacy, consent, and cognitive autonomy.

Related topics include brain–computer interfaces, brain-to-brain communication, telepathy in fiction, and neuroethics.