introduce onStar Trek : The Original Series , Spock ( Leonard Nimoy ) could interpret a somebody unconscious with a Vulcan Nerve Pinch , but these twoStar Trekcaptains could also perform the manoeuvre . First used inTOSseason 1 , episode 4 , " The Enemy Within,“the Vulcan Nerve ( or Neck ) Pinch take applying pressure level to a specific country at the base of the neckto render a mortal unconscious . The Vulcan Nerve Pinch has been used in over sixtyepisodes ofStar Trekacross the franchiseand mold on most humanoid species .

The estimation for the Vulcan Nerve Pinch came from Leonard Nimoy himself . The original draft of " The Enemy Within " had Spock pink the vicious duplicate ofCaptain James T. Kirk ( William Shatner)unconscious by hitting him in the head , butNimoy felt Spock would have a less violent way of life to picture someone unconscious . Nimoy reason that Spock would have learned about human anatomy and acknowledge precisely how and where to apply force per unit area . Nimoy also posited that Vulcans emitted a form of vim from their fingertips that help in the appendage . Although many Vulcans could execute the Neck Pinch , a few non - Vulcans also utilized the technique .

Kirk & Burnham Can Do Spock’s Vulcan Nerve Pinch

Michael Burnham & An Alternate-Universe James Kirk Both Learned The Technique

A handful of humankind have been shown performing a Vulcan Nerve Pinch , admit Captain Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin - Green ) and analternate - universe version of Captain James T. Kirk(Paul Wesley ) . After Klingons killed Michael ’s parents , she was bring up by Ambassador Sarek ( James Frain ) and his human wife , Amanda Grayson ( Mia Kirshner ) , on Vulcan alongside their biological son , Spock ( Ethan Peck ) . Burnham embraced Vulcan logic , eventually becoming the first human being to assist the Vulcan Learning Center . Michael presumably memorize how to perform a Vulcan Nerve Pinch while on Vulcan . InStar Trek : Discoveryseason 1 , Commander Burnham boldness nip Captain Philippa Georgiou ( Michaelle Yeoh ) , although Georgiou recovered apace .

Captain Burnham fought herself in Star Trek : Discovery time of year 5 , which is an experience Captain James T. Kirk is very familiar with in Star Trek : TOS .

InStar Trek : Strange New Worldsseason 2 , episode 3 , " Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow , " Lt . La’an Noonien - Singh ( Christina Chong ) encountered an alternate - universe translation of James Kirk as Captain of the United Earth Fleet Enterprise . La’an and Kirk embarked on a charge to twenty-first C Toronto where the duo restored the right edition ofStar Trek ’s Prime timeline . Kirk used a Vulcan Nerve Pinch on a civilian to slip a car . When La’an asked where he acquire how to do that , Kirk said he learned it from his Vulcan cellmate in a Denobulan prison house .

Star Trek’s Captain Burnham and Captain Kirk both smiling.

Should Humans Be Able To Do Spock’s Vulcan Nerve Pinch?

Vulcans & Humans Have Many Differences, After All

Although sports fan have speculated about how on the nose theVulcan Nerve Pinch mould , it has never been fully excuse on screen . While it may bet like someone simply crimp the neck opening of their opponent , there is clear a level of attainment and proficiency call for to perfect the Nerve Pinch . This bring up the doubtfulness of whether non - Vulcans should even be capable to get a line how to do it the right way . Although a handful of world have been seen performing a Vulcan Nerve Pinch , it was unremarkably in office where they had either mind - melt with a Vulcan or were carry a Vulcan ’s katra .

OnStar Trek : The Original Series , Spock once point out that he had unsuccessfully tried to teach Captain Kirk how to perform the Nerve Pinch , evoke not all humans could learn how to do it .

It look that a human can learn how to perform a Vulcan Nerve Pinch , but can only do it efficaciously when connected to a Vulcan in some elbow room . Vulcan are not only physically stronger than humans , but they are also telepathic . Both of these trait likely contribute to the strength of the Nerve Pinch . Michael ’s enjoyment of the technique on Georgiou only render the Captain unconscious for a couple of minutes . This suggests that while humans can learn where and how to practice the right pressure to performStar Trek’sVulcan Nerve Pinch , it will never be as effective as when a Vulcan does it .

Robin Curtis and Kirstie Alley as Lt. Saavik in Star Trek.

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Spock (Leonard Nimoy) from Star Trek The Original Series

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Leonard Nimoy as Spock performing the Vulcan nerve pinch on Star Trek.

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