Tag Archives: Mesmerism
“On Esdaile and Hypnotic Anaesthetic” from The Complete Writings of James Braid
On Esdaile & Hypnotic Anaesthetic”: Letter to The Medical Times (1847) Excerpt from The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid[This small study could be considered to show, at best, either 30% or 60% “success” for Esdaile’s Mesmeric … Continue reading
Posted in James Braid: The Founder of Hypnotherapy, Pain Control
Tagged anaesthesia, analgesia, Braid, Esdaile, hypnosis, hypnotism, Mesmerism, pain, surgery
Leave a comment
Hypnotic Childbirth: Some Suggestions
This brief excerpt from an earlier article summarises specific examples of the main suggestions (and autosuggestions) used for coping with pregnancy and natural childbirth, derived from a survey of the hypnotherapy literature. Continue reading
Posted in Childbirth
Tagged childbirth, hypnobirthing, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, hypnotic, hypnotism, Mesmerism, obstetrics, pain, painless, suggestion
2 Comments
An Early Hypnotic Subject Speaks
Dr. James John Garth Wilkinson was an early Victorian hypnotist. He was hypnotised by James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy, observed many of his experiments, and became a hypnotist himself. Wilkinson was also a popular writer and describes the subjective experience of being hypnotised in colourful and expressive language, e.g., as a “diamond glare” of focused attention, etc. Continue reading
Posted in Hypnotherapy, James Braid: The Founder of Hypnotherapy
Tagged animal magnetism, Braid, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, hypnotic, hypnotism, Mesmer, Mesmerism
Leave a comment
James Esdaile writes to James Braid about Mesmerism and Hypnotism
Excerpt from a letter by the Mesmerist James Esdaile to fellow Scotsman James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy. Continue reading
That Hypnotism Never Meant Mind-Control According to its Founder James Braid
Another short snippet from James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy, which makes it very clear that Braid emphasised hypnotism required the conscious consent of the subject and could not be used for “mind-control”, contrary to the claims of the Mesmerists. Continue reading
What Bernheim Really Said about Hypnosis
This short article provides some little-known quotations from Hippolyte Bernheim’s later writings in which the father of 20th century hypnotism makes it clear that he does not consider hypnosis to be in any way related to sleep but rather to be a general state of heightened suggestibility. Continue reading
The Origin of Hypnotism: James Braid’s Life & Work
James Braid’s life and works, an excerpt from the book The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid (2009). Continue reading
Posted in Hypnotherapy, James Braid: The Founder of Hypnotherapy
Tagged animal magnetism, Braid, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, hypnotic, hypnotism, Mesmer, Mesmerism
2 Comments
Did Hypnotism Originate as a Form of Meditation?
This short article explains how hypnotism actually originated, in part, under the influence of Oriental meditation techniques, described in the writings of James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy. Continue reading
The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid (2009)
Some reviews and free online sample of the new collected edition of James Braid’s writings. Continue reading
Posted in Hypnotherapy, James Braid: The Founder of Hypnotherapy
Tagged animal magnetism, Braid, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, hypnotic, hypnotism, Mesmer, Mesmerism, therapy
Leave a comment
What Braid Really Said: The Original Meaning of Hypnotism
This short article reviews Braid’s concept of hypnotism in his later writings and attempts to correct certain widespread misconceptions among hypnotherapists, about the original nature of hypnotism. Continue reading
Posted in James Braid: The Founder of Hypnotherapy
Tagged animal magnetism, Braid, hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, hypnotic, hypnotism, Mesmer, Mesmerism
2 Comments
