Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Fascinating History Of Hypnosis

When people think about hypnosis, an image comes to mind of aman sitting and swinging a pendulum in front of someone andsaying to them, "You are getting very sleepy." This is an imagethat has been portrayed in movies and the media for years, yetthe history of hypnosis goes back much further than most peoplerealize, and is said to be very helpful and healing in severalways. Those who have undergone hypnosis often recall eventsfrom the past that they previously had no memory of whatsoever,and this technique is often used to bring up repressed thoughtsand emotions in order to help a person overcome certain fearsor other problems. Taking a look at the history of hypnosis isboth fascinating and educational as well. Humble Beginnings: A Brief History Of Hypnosis The Hindus in India are said to be the originators of thehistory of hypnosis by using it as a health tool in which theywould take those who were ill within their village to a placedcalled a sleep temple. Likewise, this practice was used inGreece and Egypt as well. The ancient Sanskrit in a book calledthe Law of Manu spoke of different states of hypnosis; the"sleep-waking" state, the "dream-sleep" state, and the"Ecstasy-sleep" state. Inductions which were hypnotic in naturewere used to lull as person into a sleep state in order to healthem of their sickness or disease. In the late 1700's, a man named Franz Mesmer became the firstWestern scientist to become involved with hypnosis and startedresearching an effect called "animal magnetism" or "mesmerism,"which is a word still used today. He believed that this powerresided inside of humans and animals and used magnetic force asa tool in treating people. In what some consider to be the firstplacebo-controlled trial study, Benjamin Franklin conducted atrial to test the magnetic theory, and it was determined thatmesmerism was only used by the imagination. Within the historyof hypnosis, magnetic therapies are still around today as oneform of alternative medicine, yet Mesmer himself died obscurelyin 1815. Formal psychological study of hypnotism began to be studied inthe 1800's by a neurologist named Jean-Martin Charcot whoprescribed this treatment for hysteria. He also opened the way in the history of hypnosis for its usein multiple personality disorders as well. This approach isstill used today in order to help treat those who suffer withhearing voices, as it can help to sort out and relive theseproblems.About The Author: Ann Merier a prolific writer has written manyarticles about family health and house and garden Topics.http://selfhypnosis.ultimatehealthinfo.com/http://u-can-prevent-id-theft.comhttp://bestairpurifiers.4houseandgarden.com

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