Hypnosis (from
the Greek hypnos, "sleep")
is often thought to be "a trance-like
state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are
readily accepted by the subject."
The technique is sometimes used for medical purposes to relieve
anxiety, or otherwise improve or alter behaviour. Its effectiveness
has been clinically demonstrated in many areas, most notably
in the area of acute pain relief. It is also used in popular
stage acts in which subjects are persuaded to perform bizarre
feats.
Other variations include so-called "mass-hypnosis," in
which crowds are simultaneously influenced, and autosuggestion in
which subjects persuade themselves. However, these phenomena
are unlike those typically associated with the classical phenomena
of hypnosis.
Although we can speak of a "history of hypnosis" prior
to the 19th century, it should be clear that the word itself
is the invention of 19th century Scottish physician James Braid.
It is not clear if what is discussed as hypnosis prior to the
19th century in histories of hypnosis is actually what we mean
today by "hypnosis." Early theories on hypnosis are
due to Abbe Faria, a Goan priest.
During the Middle Ages and early modern period, hypnosis began
to be better understood by physicians such as Avicenna Contributions
of Early Muslim Scholars and Challenges to Contemporary Muslim
Psychologists Journal of Religion and Health
Franz Mesmer in the 1700's believed that there was a magnetic
fluid that surrounds the body. He experimented with magnets to
influence this field and so cause healing. He later found that
the same effects could be created by waving the hands in front
of someone's face. One of his students found that a person could
be helped into a trance state by doing this. Franz Mesmer is
apparently where the word mesmerize originated. |
