The evidence of Hypnosis is as old as the origin of mankind itself. For example, the genesis writers had reported that God put Adam in deep sleep & took his rib to form Eve. Plus in book “The World’s Greatest Hypnotists” authors John C. Hughes & Andrew E. Rothovius (published in 1996) spots ancient record suggesting hypnosis was used by the oracle at Delphi and in rites in ancient Egypt. And the book the “Manu-Smriti” in Sanskrit from India provides categories of different states of hypnosis. 

In fact, the modern history of Hypnosis goes back to late 1700s, when Franz Anton Mesmer’s discovery revived an interest in hypnosis. He is considered the father of modern hypnosis.

Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815 ) was born in the village of Iznang, in Germany. The term “mesmerism” was given after him. Mesmerism was described as a process of inducing trance through use of magnets. However, the medical community discredited him despite his considerable discovery leading to Hypnosis. Hurt by his accomplishment the medical establishment arranged for an official French government investigating committee. This committee included Benjamin Franklin, who was the American ambassador to France, and Joseph Guillotine.

James Braid (1795-1860) became interested in mesmerism. He said that in the experiment by Mesmer, there is something beyond the effect of magnet only. In 1842 he developed the technique of eye fixation & called it hypnosis. The word Hypnosis was taken from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep. However later, he tried to change the name to monoeidism but the original name of hypnosis remained popular.

Next, Jean Marie Charcot (1825-1893), a French neurologist, worked further on mesmerism & classified trance in three stages: lethargy, catalepsy and somnambulism. He was opposed by Nancy School of Hypnotism, who believed that hypnosis was simply a manifestation of hysteria. This difference in opinion created bitter enmity between this school & Charcot.

Later a French neurologist and psychologist Pierre Janet (1847-1947) continued his work on Hypnosis relating to psychoanalytical rage.

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849-1936) a Russian psychologist & Nobel Prize winner studied the digestive process & psychology. In one experiment on dogs he associated sight of food with sound of bell. This association caused dogs to salivate by hearing sound of a bell even there is no food present.

Emile Coue (1857-1926) a physician formulated Laws of Suggestion. He used to encourage his patient repeatedly saying every night “Every day in every way I am getting better & better” from this experiment he discovered that this leads to positive effect in curing of patient.

Other significant contributors to Hypnosis are : Abbe Faria, James Esdale, Nicholas Spanos, Amir Raz, Robert Baker etc.