Proof of hypnotic-like phenomena appears in many ancient cultures. The author seems familiar with the anesthetic power of hypnosis when he reports that God put Adam “into deep sleep” to take the rib to form Eve. Other ancient records suggest hypnosis was used by the oracle at Delphi and in rites in ancient Egypt (Rothovius and Hughes, 1996). Modern history of hypnosis begins at the end of 1700, when a French physician, Anton Mesmer, back interest in hypnosis.
1734-1815 Franz Anton Mesmer was born in Vienna. Mesmer is considered the father of hypnosis. He is remembered for the term mesmerism which described the process of inducing trance through a series of passing it with both hands and / or more than the magnet. He works with the animal magnetism (psychic and electromagnetic energy). Medical community eventually discredited him even though he was successful enough to treat various ailments. His success offended the medical establishment, which is set for an official French government investigating committee. This committee included Benjamin Franklin, the American ambassador to France, and the guillotine of Joseph, a French physician who introduced a never-fail device for physically separating the mind from the body.
1795-1860 James braid, a British doctor, was initially opposed to the mesmerism (as it was known), which then become interested. He said that no cures for animal magnetism, however, because of their suggestions. He developed eye fixation technique (also known as Braidism) of inducing relaxation and called it hypnosis (after Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep) as a phenomenon that he thought is a form of sleep. Then, he realized the error, he tried to change the name monoeidism (meaning the influence of one idea), however, the original name stuck. 1825-1893 Jean Marie Charcot French neurologist, disagreed with the Nancy School, and that hypnotism hypnosis is merely a manifestation of hysteria. There was a bitter competition between Charcot and the Nancy group (Liebault and Bernheim). He returned Mesmers theory of Animal Magnetism and identify three stages of trance; lethargy, catalepsy and somnambulism.
1845-1947 Pierre Janet was a French psychologist and neurologist who initially opposed to the use of hypnosis until he found it relaxing effect and promotion of healing. Janet is one of the few people who continue to show interest in hypnosis during psychoanalytical rage.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:07 am
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