Hypnosis has a long and colorful history that dates back thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians used a form of hypnotic suggestion as a way to induce healing dreams or to cure physical ailments. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that hypnosis began to take on its modern form.
One of the most famous early practitioners of hypnosis was Franz Mesmer, a German physician who believed that there was a natural energy or “animal magnetism” that flowed through all living things. He developed a method of using magnets and touch to manipulate this energy and induce a trance-like state in his patients. Mesmer’s techniques were controversial and were eventually discredited by the medical establishment, but they laid the groundwork for future hypnotherapy practices.
James Braid, a Scottish physician, is often credited with coining the term “hypnotism” and popularizing the use of hypnosis as a form of therapy in the 19th century. Braid initially became interested in hypnosis after witnessing a demonstration by a French mesmerist named Charles Lafontaine. Braid was skeptical of Lafontaine’s claims of animal magnetism, and he set out to study the phenomenon of hypnosis scientifically. He believed that hypnosis was a form of self-induced sleep or “nervous sleep” that could be induced through the use of suggestion and concentration. Braid’s approach to hypnosis was more scientific and rational than Mesmer’s, and he developed a number of techniques for inducing trance states, including eye fixation, hand levitation, and verbal suggestion.
Émile Coué, a French psychologist and pharmacist, developed a technique called “autosuggestion.” Coué believed that the power of suggestion could be used to change a person’s thoughts and behaviors, and he developed a method of self-hypnosis that involved repeating affirmations or mantras to oneself.
Ernest Hilgard was an American psychologist who made significant contributions to the field of hypnosis. One of Hilgard’s most famous contributions to the field was his research on the phenomenon of “hidden observers” in hypnosis. According to Hilgard, when a person is hypnotized, their conscious mind is put into a trance state, while a separate “hidden observer” remains aware of their surroundings and the hypnotic suggestions being made. Hilgard’s research suggested that this hidden observer could even override the suggestions of the hypnotist if they were in conflict with the subject’s beliefs or values. Hilgard’s research on hidden observers helped to dispel some of the misconceptions and myths surrounding hypnosis, and it remains an important part of the history of hypnosis.
Clark Leonard Hull was an American psychologist who made significant contributions to the field of hypnosis. Hull is best known for his work on the concept of “habit strength” and its application to hypnosis. According to Hull’s theory, habits are learned through repeated associations between a stimulus and a response, and the strength of a habit is determined by the frequency and consistency of these associations. Hull believed that hypnosis could be used to increase the strength of habits, making it a useful tool for behavior modification and self-improvement. Hull’s research on habit strength and hypnosis helped to lay the groundwork for the use of hypnosis as a form of therapy, particularly in the area of habit control and addiction.
Milton Erickson was another important figure in the history of hypnosis. Erickson was an American psychiatrist and hypnotherapist who developed a style of hypnosis that focused on indirect suggestion and storytelling rather than direct commands. Erickson’s approach was particularly effective in inducing trance states in patients and was widely used in the treatment of various psychological and behavioral disorders.
Dave Elman was an American hypnotist who developed a rapid induction technique that allowed him to induce a trance state in his subjects in a matter of seconds. Elman’s approach was particularly useful in medical and dental settings, where patients needed to be induced into a trance state quickly to alleviate pain or anxiety. Elman’s work has had a lasting impact on the field of hypnosis, particularly in the area of medical hypnotherapy.
John Grinder and Richard Bandler are two other important figures in the history of hypnosis. They are best known for their development of the field of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), which emphasizes the connection between language, behavior, and thought. NLP has been used in a wide range of settings, from therapy and counseling to business and personal development.
In summary, hypnosis has been practiced for thousands of years, with notable figures such as Mesmer, Braid, Coué, Hilgard, Hull, Erickson, Elman, Grinder, and Bandler making important contributions to the field. From Mesmer’s controversial theories of animal magnetism to Erickson’s indirect suggestion and storytelling techniques, hypnosis has gone through various stages of development, and it continues to be a fascinating and important area of study in the field of psychology today.
Copyright Connie Brannan, 2023.
