The History of Hypnosis
The history of hypnotism is one filled with unique characters establishing a name for themselves. Modern hypnosis can be traced back to and was claimed to be first established by Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) who influenced the image of a hypnotist. An Austrian living in the 18th century, Mesmer was a physicist who developed his own style of healing methods. This healing was by “mesmerism” or “animal magnetism” The word to be mesmerised or “mesmerism” takes it’s origin from Mesmer.
The Origins of hypnosis are quite mysterious in it’s own right.
Mesmer applied magnets to his patient’s body as a basis for his healing method. His idea was that magnetism was assisting in the healing process and claimed to be able to heal many kinds of illness. The concept was rathe basic, with the magnets stored in baths of iron filings later to be transferred by mesmeric passes” via rods to his patients.
Later it was believed that Mesmer was under the impression that it was not physical forces at play rather it was himself that was generating the cures. The Charismatic showman with a great act, it was the stage that attracted Mesmer to his theatrical passions, the now famous modern day stage hypnosis.
It was later in 1843 when James Braid the Manchester eye doctor and physician who renamed mesmerism and magnetism to the now Hypnosis. The word hypnosis has origins from the Greek word Hypnos, the god of sleep.
Hypnosis history was by chance that James Braid encountered hypnosis when one day a patient who was staring at the light in the waiting room of his doctors clinic. Whilst in a state of transfixing, the patient was asked to close his eyes and sleep. The male patient obeyed and it was this that lead to a series of investigations. Like many scientist before him, Braid realised that certain phenomena that is psychological in nature can be influenced by hypnosis.
From the early first encounter Braid went on to study further the concept of hypnosis and he believed that the nervous system was linked to cures of suggestion. By suggesting a certain principle or statement to his patients he could influence the nervous syste,. He later went on to dismiss this theory concentrating on the mind and mental factors as the basis for true hypnosis.