Hypnosis

Hypnosis, artificially induced mental state characterized by an individual's loss of critical powers and consequent openness to suggestion. It may be induced by an external agency or self-induced (autohypnosis). Hypnotism has been widely used in medicine (usually to induce analgesia) and especially in psychiatry and psychotherapy. Here, the particular value of hypnosis is that while in trance, the individual may be encouraged to recall deeply repressed memories that may be at the heart of an emotional conflict; once such causes have been elucidated, therapy may proceed. Hypnosis seems to be as old as human society. However, the first definite information comes from the late 18th century with the work of Franz Mesmer, who held that disease was the result of imbalance in a patient's “animal magnetism,” and hence attempted to cure this by the use of magnets. Some of his patients were cured, presumably by suggestion; the term mesmerism is still used for hypnotism.