Hypnosis is as old, or older than recorded human history. There are many indications, and much evidence exists to show that Hypnosis was used in primitive human culture. One of the best examples, is the recorded references from ancient Egypt. It states that over 4000 years ago, an Egyptian priest who went by the alias of Imhotep (he comes in peace) practiced Hypnosis, which would have seemed like a divine power at the time. Sleep or Dream Temples were built for the purpose of healing and worship. Imhotep was involved in the construction of the Step Pyramid, which is catalogued as the first Pyramid of Egypt. The Sleep Temples were used frequently, by people wishing to extinguish their physical and emotional ailments. Sleep Temples became popular in other countries including Greece and survived for many centuries, with the purpose of healing.

 

There are also findings, that Hypnosis was used by village Priests or "Shamans" in primitive culture and is still used today in much the same way, by tribal communities around the world.

 

Hypnosis really came into the light, when Anton Frans Mesmer discovered the power of suggestion, in the year 1775. Mesmer used Hypnosis to successfully heal many patients, who had been failed, by modern medical practitioners of the time. His theories came into disrepute in the early 19th Century, when James Braid  bitterly opposed Mesmers theories of magnetism (the theory that we are all connected/balanced by a fluidic magnetism), which was known as Mesmerism at the time. Braid coined the name of Hypnosis (from HYPNOS, the God of Sleep), which is the modern name for the trance state we use today and also leads people to incorrectly believe that Hypnosis, is a form of sleep.

 

Modern Hypnosis today is able to provide seekers, with more accurate information about the workings of Hypnosis. We now know that the power of suggestion, is a fundamental tool in Hypnotherapy. Recent tests have shown some interesting results regarding the trance state, otherwise known as the "hypnotic state", when compared to the "out of trance state", or normal everyday suggestibility. The tests (which were aired on the BBC in 2008 and conducted by sceptics) showed clear evidence, that different parts of the brain are active when in a hypnotic state. Suggestions of colours being present, which were not present (positive hallucination) when in trance, showed increased activity in the part of the brain which is active when actual images are seen. The same test used without any hypnotic trance, showed activity in the part of the brain which is active when the imagination is used. This suggests that Hypnosis not only works differently from "out of trance suggestion"; It shows that the brain perceived the colours to be present, when there were no colours present. The tests mentioned were conducted by medical professionals, with the aid of modern technology, which included an MRI machine (CAT scan).

 

Since the Early 1950's, Hypnosis has gained momentum with the help of Milton Erickson, who is a well known figure in Hypnosis and who dedicated his life to the subject, until his death in March 1980 aged 78. Hypnosis is now a not so uncommon tool used in modern medicine. Many patients are cured of ailments, such as IBS or Panic attacks using only Hypnosis. Dentists are becoming a keen favourite when it comes to Hypnosis. Not only can the fear be removed from a patient, but Hypnosis can be used in place of drug anaesthetics. Since the establishment of the National Guild of Hypnotists in 1951, Hypnotism has become a reputable and trusted therapy. It often negates the need for drugs or other forms of therapy, which may take years to see results. Hypnotherapy, in a nut shell, is a way of programming your mind, the way you want it programmed. Hypnosis is possibly the safest way, to bring about positive change.