A brief look at the history of hypnosis as well as its psychological and modern day uses.

1. HYPNOSIS.
“an artificially induced trance state resembling sleep, characterized
by heightened susceptibility to suggestion.” (1)

2. WHO CREATED THE TERM “HYPNOTISM”?
Claimed to use magnetism as a
means of curing different
ailments. The term
“mesmerized” is derived from his
work (2).
Opinions on his work with
magnets was quite polarised!
Yelled “Dormez!” (meaning
sleep) at his patients, claiming
that this shocked them into a
trance like state. (5).
The father of hypnosis James Braid
(1796-1860)
After scientifically investigating the work of Mesmer
and Faria, in 1843 he claimed that hypnosis was
actually a form of sleep, naming the term after
Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep.
He later refuted this claim in 1847 by finding that
suggestibility alone could be used. (3),(4).
Franz Mesmer
(1734-1815)
Abbe Faria
(1756-1820)

3. PSYCHOLOGICAL USES.
Placed patients into a relaxed state
of mind so as to access their
subconscious mind.
He believed that this would reveal
what was REALLY bothering the
patient. (6),(7).
…since then...
Organisations have emerged such as the UK
Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations
that use hypnotherapy to place patients in a
hypnotic state to try and address the patients
issue(s) regardless of time:
• Past, such as trauma
• Present, such as work stress or family issues.
• Future, such a sports person preparing to
compete or give a speech. (8).
Sigmund Freud
(1856-1939)

4. MODERN DAY HYPNOSIS
Has 3 basic
requirements on the
subjects part. They
must be:
• Relaxed
• Have faith in the
hypnosis
• Feel comfortable
…enables….
The hypnotist to lull
them into a trance
either by:
• focusing on a single
moving object
• overwhelming them
with commands
• Progressive
relaxation.
• Or rocking them to
sleep.
..leading to…
A direct interaction
with the
subconscious
leading to
heightened
suggestibility.
(9)

5. IN SUMMARY.
• Hypnosis involves placing patients in a trace like state where they become highly
suggestible.
• Hypnosis developed historically through attempts to use magnetism and/or
relaxation techniques to treat medical ailments. Scientific research however, found
that it was basically lulling people into a trance.
• Hypnosis was utilised by Sigmund Freud to (apparently) delve into a patients
subconscious mind to unveil hidden motives/issues for therapeutic reasons.
• Hypnotherapy organisations such as UKCHO have emerged in recent years which
aim to use hypnosis to treat a range of psychological conditions by hypnotising
patients.

6. REFERENCES (FOR THOSE WHO FANCY SOME FURTHER READING).
• 1. Referencecom. (2015). Dictionarycom. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypnosis
• 2. Anton-mesmercom. (2015). Anton-mesmercom. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from http://www.anton-mesmer.com/
• 3. Jamesbraidsocietycom. (2015). Jamesbraidsocietycom. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from
http://www.jamesbraidsociety.com/jamesbraid.htmJamesbraidsocietycom. (2015). Jamesbraidsocietycom. Retrieved
3 November, 2015, from http://www.jamesbraidsociety.com/jamesbraid.htm
• 4. Braid, J.B. (1843). Neurypnology or The Rationale of Nervous Sleep Considered In Relation With Animal
Magnetism. Edinburgh: Andrew Shortede Gerorge IV.
• 5. Abbefariacom. (2015). Abbefariacom. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from
http://www.abbefaria.com/Biography1.htm
• 6. Bachner-melman, R., & Lichtenberg, L. (2001). Freud’s Relevance to Hypnosis: A Reevaluation. American
Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 44(1), 37-50.
• 7. Freudpageinfo. (2015). Freudpageinfo. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from
http://www.freudpage.info/freudbiography.html
• 8. Harry cannon - harrycannon@ntlworldcom. (2015). Ukchocouk. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from
http://www.ukcho.co.uk/index.htm
• 9. Howstuffworkscom. (2001). HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 3 November, 2015, from
http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/extrasensory-perceptions/hypnosis1.htm (By Tom Harris).