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[[File:Faye-02.png|right|thumb|350px|Betazoid characters in Star Trek: Theurgy:
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The Betazoids were a peaceful humanoid civilization originating from the idyllic, verdant [[Federation]] planet Betazed. The world was a valued member of the [[Federation]], and its people could be found across [[Federation]] space, including [[Starfleet]]. Betazoids appeared almost identical to Humans, but differed in one major way: they were naturally telepathic, developing mental abilities during adolescence. The potency of this ability varied between individuals, but it resulted in a culture where honesty and directness were fundamental. See also [[Psionic Abilities]]

==Physiology==
Externally, Betazoids were physically indistinguishable from Humans in every aspect but one: the irises of their eyes were completely black. They could cross-breed with Humans, along with other humanoid races like Klingons and Tavnians. Betazoid iris coloration was present in half-Betazoid individuals such as Deanna Troi, but in those with less Betazoid blood such as Devinoni Ral and Walter Pierce (who were only ¼ Betazoid), normal [[Human]] eye coloration was possible. (TNG: "The Price") Betazoids had a gestation period of ten months. (TNG: "The Child")

Betazoids reached rapid eye movement (REM) sleep at a different frequency from other humanoids. (TNG: "Night Terrors")

In mid-life, Betazoid females underwent a physiological change known as "The Phase" during which their sex drive increased by a factor of four or more. (TNG: "Manhunt")

Mature Betazoids could also suffer from Zanthi fever, which caused them to lose control over the projective aspect of their empathy. That could result in people around them acting as if they had experienced the same general emotional state as the affected Betazoid, though they were directed by their own subconscious desires, fears, and other emotions. (DS9: "Fascination")

== Telepathic Abilities ==
Betazoids were natural telepaths, an ability centered in their paracortex, with psilosynine being a main neurotransmitter. (TNG: "Dark Page") Most developed their telepathic skill in adolescence, but a few were born with their telepathic abilities already active, such as Tam Elbrun. (TNG: "Tin Man") These individuals were almost always extremely talented and powerful in telepathic terms, but also unable to screen out the noise of other people's minds, so they generally suffered mental problems of varying severity depending mostly on when the problem was diagnosed. On the other end of the scale were a few individuals who developed [[Psionic Abilities|psionic abilities]] which were far below average for the species (for example, Lon Suder). Those Betazoids were barely able to sense even strong emotions (empaths) of other people, much less thoughts.

The common [[Psionic Abilities|psionic abilities]] of Betazoids extended from sensing thoughts and/or emotions, over projecting thoughts and/or emotions, to manipulating the minds of others. (TNG: "The Price"; DS9: "Fascination") How capable they were in performing any of those feats depended somewhat on their genetically-defined psionic strength, their psionic training, (TNG: "Haven") their familiarity with the scanned being, their general mental and physical condition, and the species of the subject race. Betazoids also felt the emotions of animals, and thus were wary of getting too involved in the "passion of the beast" in situations in which they had to rely on an animal, like when riding a horse. (TNG: "Pen Pals") Betazoids also were able to read the emotions and thoughts of non-corporeal beings such as Nagilum, the energy vortex, or to gauge the mental prowess of beings such as Q. Other times they were totally unable to read corporeal creature's minds, such as Ferengi and Changelings. Data theorized that the reason they may not have been able to read Ferengi was the structure of their brains. Data himself was able to be read by Deanna Troi when his brother Lore used the emotion chip to transfer powerful emotions to him. At one point, when Troi lost her empathy temporarily she commented that Will Riker was like a holodeck character to her, completely devoid of emotion, as if she had never experienced a lack of empathy from any sentient before. The Traveler was also not able to be read by Troi.

Inter-species reproduction involving Betazoids often affected the [[Psionic Abilities|psionic abilities]] of the offspring – most commonly the children of such a union developed empathic abilities as their primary psionic talent, while their telepathic abilities, though existing, were rather below average for Betazoids. Usually the [[telepathy]] of these half-breeds, without extensive training, was limited to communication with other empaths or telepaths and full telepathic contact with emotionally very close persons (for example, an imzadi). All full Betazoids were unable to read the thoughts of Ferengi, Breen, Ullians, and Dopterians, but some half-Betazoids were occasionally successful in sensing the emotions of some of these species. Additionally, full Betazoids seemed to even be able to psionically influence some of these species. (TNG: "The Price", "Ménage à Troi"; DS9: "The Forsaken", "Fascination")

==Culture & Tradition==

Due to their [[telepathy]], Betazoid culture embraced honesty almost to a point considered rude by other cultures. Lwaxana Troi, on numerous occasions, commented on her befuddlement at the [[Human]] practice of fibbing to spare others' feelings or for politeness' sake. (TNG: "Haven", "Dark Page")

While eating, Betazoids expressed thanks for their food by ringing a gong at intervals. (TNG: "Haven")

Betazoids were likely polytheistic, as evidenced by an exclamation used by Lwaxana Troi, "Thank the four deities you're here". (TNG: "Manhunt")

Betazoids had a complex hereditary nobility; prominent Betazoid diplomat Lwaxana Troi, for example, was "Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, and Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed." Betazoid tradition had children genetically bonded to a future spouse. (TNG: "Haven")

The Betazoid wedding ceremony was seen as a celebration of love, therefore all participants (bridegroom and guests) were traditionally nude. (TNG: "Haven", "Cost of Living"; Star Trek Nemesis)

At one time, it was fashionable for Betazoid women to wear elaborate wigs that caged small animals. The practice, which was cruel to the animals, was stopped when one (unknown) woman stood up against it. (TNG: "Half a Life")

[[http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Betazoid Source: Memory Alpha]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Federation Member Worlds]]