Hypnosis is a technique that has been used for centuries to help people achieve different goals. But where did it come from? And how did it become so popular? In this blog post, we will explore the origins of hypnosis and discuss how it has evolved over the years.
Hypnosis has been used for centuries in various cultures around the world. It has been an intricate part of the healing culture of many civilisations throughout history. One of the first practitioners to use hypnosis (although it wasn’t named as such yet) was the Persian physician Avicenna around 1000AD.
In the 18th century, Austrian physician Franz Mesmer began using it to treat patients with physical and psychological ailments. He believed that there was a natural flow of energy within the body that could be harnessed for healing purposes. He began investigating a phenomenon known at the time as “animal magnetism” which was the practice of using magnets to move energy around people to heal them, birthing the term, mesmerised.
Later it was decided that Mesmer’s methods had no medical merit and Mesmer was discredited. It’s interesting to note that in my practice as an Emotion Code Practitioner ™ I use magnets to release negative energies from my clients’ bodies. I’m sure Mesmer would be proud.
Mesmer was not the only one experimenting with hypnosis at this time. In 1841, Scottish surgeon James Braid observed that when he hypnotised his patients, they entered into a state of deep relaxation. He called this state “hypnosis” from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, in the mistaken belief that someone in a hypnotic trance is asleep. Braid believed that hypnosis could be used to treat a variety of conditions, including hysteria and seizures.
Braid’s theory was later disproven, but his work laid the foundation for future research in the field of hypnosis to help people overcome a wide range of issues.
In 1892 the British Medical Association issued a report stating that they “satisfied themselves with the genuineness of the hypnotic state” and recognised that Hypnosis is frequently effective in relieving pain, procuring sleep and alleviating many functional ailments.
In 1957, Milton Erickson, considered the father of Hypnotherapy, brought an entirely different methodology to the way we work with clients. He introduced a far more permissive and indirect approach to the profession which shaped the powerful, modern style of Hypnotherapy we use today.
Dave Elman was an American entertainer during the same era as Erickson and he developed techniques that were rapid and effective. Off the back of his techniques, he travelled extensively training doctors and dentists in processes for anaesthesia and pain relief.
In 1960 the American Psychological Association endorsed hypnosis as a branch of psychology (noting that the practice of psychology emerged from the field of hypnosis).
Since then, numerous medical bodies worldwide have recognised that Hypnotherapy is “part of orthodox medical treatment.” It has been recognised as a valuable tool for helping people overcome both physical and mental challenges and is used by therapists around the world to help their patients achieve lasting change.
Hypnosis has certainly come a long way since its early beginnings and shows no signs of slowing down.
If you’re interested in trying hypnosis for yourself connect with me and we can have a chat about how hypnosis can help you to make transformations in your life.
Medical Disclaimer: All information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent health problems. For all serious health issues, please contact a medical or nutrition practitioner. The information provided in this blog is based on the best knowledge of the author at the time of writing and we do not assume liability for the information within this blog, be it direct or indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages.