Influential figures in the study and practice of hypnosis

Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815)

Franz Anton Mesmer was a German physician who introduced the concept of animal magnetism. His ideas later gave rise to the terms mesmerised and mesmerism. In 1774, Mesmer treated a patient suffering from hysteria, Francisca Osterlin, by creating what he described as an “artificial tide” using magnets. The patient experienced relief from her symptoms for several hours. Although Mesmer’s belief that metal existed within the human body was later proven incorrect, it was eventually understood that he had unintentionally induced a trance state.

Marquis de Puységur (1751–1825)

Marquis de Puységur studied mesmerism and was among the first practitioners to induce a sleep-like state in patients. This condition, known as a “sleeping trance,” became widely accepted by early hypnotherapists and later evolved into what is now referred to as hypnotic induction.

Étienne de Cuvilliers (1755–1841)

Étienne de Cuvilliers began as a follower of Mesmer but rejected the idea of a magnetic fluid. Instead, he emphasized the importance of belief and mental suggestibility in producing hypnotic effects. He is credited with introducing the prefix “hypno”, leading to terms such as hypnosis, hypnotic, and hypnotist.

James Braid (1795–1860)

James Braid was a Scottish scientist and is widely regarded as the first true hypnotherapist and the father of modern hypnotism. His interest in hypnosis began after observing demonstrations of magnetism, though he believed no magnetism was involved. Through extensive study and self-hypnosis, Braid concluded that hypnosis was not dependent on the operator’s gaze, charisma, or any form of magnetic force.

John Elliotson (1791–1868)

John Elliotson was a British professor, author, and early practitioner of acupuncture. After witnessing mesmerism demonstrations in 1837, he began using the technique on patients, including the Okey sisters, who suffered from epilepsy. During one session, Elliotson painlessly inserted a large needle into Elizabeth Okey’s neck while she was in a mesmerised state.

James Esdaile (1808–1859)

James Esdaile was a Scottish surgeon and advocate of mesmerism. Suffering from bronchitis and asthma himself, he became interested in its potential for pain relief. Esdaile performed surgical procedures under mesmerism, which often took several hours and were physically and mentally demanding. Despite this, his success led to a strong reputation for painless surgery. He is considered a pioneer in the use of hypnotherapy as surgical anaesthesia before the discovery of chloroform.

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939)

Sigmund Freud, later known as the father of psychoanalysis, began his career at the Vienna General Hospital. In 1886, he established a private practice treating nervous disorders. Freud became interested in the unconscious mind after meeting Jean-Martin Charcot, who was researching hypnosis. Alongside Josef Breuer, Freud used hypnosis in clinical practice, notably with a patient known as Anna O. As she spoke freely about her symptoms while hypnotised, her condition improved. Freud later developed the talking cure, encouraging patients to speak freely while awake, a process he called free association. He also incorporated dream analysis into his work.

Hippolyte Bernheim (1840–1919)

Hippolyte Bernheim was a French physician and neurologist who focused on hypnotherapy and suggestibility. He believed that the more suggestible a patient was, the greater the potential benefit of hypnosis.

Jean-Martin Charcot (1825–1893)

Jean-Martin Charcot was a French neurologist and professor of anatomical pathology. Known as the father of modern neurology and the “Napoleon of Neuroses,” he used hypnosis to treat hysteria and other psychological disorders.

Émile Coué (1857–1926)

Émile Coué was a French psychologist and pharmacist best known for his work on optimistic autosuggestion. After studying under Bernheim in 1901, Coué developed techniques encouraging positive thought patterns. He famously stated, “I have never cured a patient in my life. All I do is show people how they can cure themselves.” Coué believed that positive thoughts could enhance the effects of medication and that the subconscious mind plays a powerful role in healing, particularly in children.

Milton Erickson (1901–1980)

Milton Erickson was an American psychiatrist and psychologist and a central figure in modern hypnotherapy. He believed the unconscious mind is always aware and receptive to suggestion. Erickson overcame significant personal challenges, including dyslexia, colour blindness, and paralysis following polio at age 17. Through intense mental focus, he partially regained movement. His therapeutic approach often involved storytelling and indirect suggestion, many examples of which appear in his book My Voice Will Go with You.

Dave Elman (1900–1967)

Dave Elman began his career as a stage and radio performer before turning his attention to medical hypnosis. He developed rapid induction techniques, allowing hypnotic states to be achieved quickly. This advancement made hypnosis more practical in clinical settings and expanded its use as a therapeutic tool.

Gil Boyne (1924–2010)

Gil Boyne transitioned from stage hypnosis to therapeutic practice and founded Transforming Therapy. Influenced by Milton Erickson, Fritz Perls, and Carl Rogers, Boyne used a regression-based approach and believed strongly in the subconscious mind’s ability to self-heal. He actively opposed legal restrictions that limited hypnotherapy to medical professionals.