The Vulcans are a peaceful, serene people, dedicated to pacifist values and a code of behavior ruled by logic, and control over their emotions. But there comes a point in a Vulcan's life when that veneer of rationalism is stripped away, and a primal force takes over. This is the Pon Farr.

Pon Farr is an ancient drive that impels the Vulcan to return home to take a mate, or die. Pon Farr brings with it a neurochemical imbalance that leads to erratic behavior in the Vulcan — nervousness, sleeplessness, outbursts of anger and violence... he can even become unaware of his actions. It's as if huge amounts of adrenalin are pumped into his bloodstream at once, and if nothing is done about it, the physical and emotional pressures will simply kill him.

Pon Farr is seen as a deeply personal experience. Few outworlders know of its existence and Vulcans do not usually speak of it even among themselves. They shield it with ritual and custom shrouded in antiquity.

This exclusive video documentary looks at the little we know about this mysterious aspect of Vulcan culture and biology.