A brief history of hypnosis.

A journey through the incredible history of hypnotherapy! This is a story of ancient wisdom meeting modern science.

The roots of hypnosis stretch back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used trance like states in their Sleep Temples for healing and guidance.

The true modern spark ignited in the 18th century with Franz Anton Mesmer. This Austrian physician championed "animal magnetism." Though his fluid theories were later dismissed, his dramatic methods—called Mesmerism—fascinated Europe and showed the mind's power to heal.

The transition to science arrived with James Braid in the 19th century. This Scottish surgeon coined the very term "hypnosis," based on the Greek word for sleep, Hypnos. He shifted the focus from mystical fluids to a scientific understanding of focused attention. Braid is rightfully considered the Father of Modern Hypnotism.

Around the same time, another surgeon, James Esdaile, performed over 300 major operations in India using only hypnosis as an anesthetic! This proved its powerful potential for pain relief.

The field truly exploded in the late 19th century with the work of figures like the Nancy School in France. They argued convincingly that hypnosis was a normal psychological process rooted in suggestion.

But for modern hypnotherapy, one name stands above all: Milton H. Erickson, M.D. This American psychiatrist revolutionized the practice in the 20th century. He developed indirect, permissive, and often witty hypnotic language. His approaches emphasized accessing the client's inner resources and subconscious mind. Erickson’s innovative work laid the foundation for most modern hypnotherapy.

The ultimate seal of approval arrived in the mid-20th century. The British Medical Association recognised hypnosis as a valid medical treatment in 1955, followed by the American Medical Association in 1958.

From ancient temples to modern medical endorsements, the journey of hypnotherapy is a testament to the mind's incredible capacity for change