This is a short excerpt from Dr. John Milne Bramwell’s influential account of James Braid’s life and work, published in 1896. Bramwell’s introduction to the work of Braid is included as a preface to Braid’s collected writings in the new edition The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid (2009). Continue reading
This short article outlines the contents of the new book The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid, the Father of Hypnotherapy (2009) published by the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) and edited by Donald Robertson. Continue reading
This is a short excerpt from the writings of James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy, explaining his theory of hypnotism and suggestion, with a brief introduction explaining his role in the history of hypnotherapy and the recent republication of his collected works. Continue reading
This reproduces a fragment of probably the first text ever written on hypnotism, James Braid’s “Rejected Essay” for the British Association from 1842 entitled “A Practical Essay on the Curative Agency of Neuro-hypnotism.” Continue reading
This is a first-hand account of Braid’s intervention at the Mesmerist Lafontaine’s stage show, the incident that prompted Braid to begin his research on hypnotism. Continue reading
This is a basic timeline and introduction to the history of hypnosis from ancient times to the present day. It provides a brief overview of some of the most influential figures in the field of hypnosis and hypnotherapy and a brief description of their role and importance. Continue reading
This magazine feature from Changes catalogue briefly discusses the relevance of James Braid’s original hypnotism for modern cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy. Continue reading
James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy, coined the term “hypnotism” but reserved the concept of hypnotic “trance” (from a word meaning “half-dead”) for a tiny percentage of exceptional cases in which a state of total unconsciousness could be induced resembling coma, chemical anaesthesia, or animal hibernation. Braid’s use of the term is therefore more consistent with modern cognitive-behavioural theorists, both preferring to describe hypnosis as an “ordinary” state rather than “trance”. Continue reading
Braid’s Final Thoughts on Hypnotism James Braid, the Scottish surgeon who discovered hypnotism, wrote many small books and articles on the subject, most of which were never republished after his death. Our understanding of the origin of hypnotism has often … Continue reading
This is a newspaper report from the Manchester Courier December 11th 1841 describing one of the first public demonstrations by James Braid, the founder of hypnotism. Continue reading