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Hypnosis

What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a psychological condition or an altered state of mind during which the subconscious of a person is activated in a way to accept suggestions in order to change behavior or thinking. Hypnotized people can be described as people who are aware of their surrounding while lost in thought. Usually during hypnosis there are two parties, the hypnotist who is the operator of the process, and the subject. The hypnotist's job is to "engage the attention of the subject and assign certain tasks while uttering monotonous, repetitive verbal commands" in order to "respond to suggestions for changes in subjective experience, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior". The subject's role is equally important, as he/she has to interact with the hypnotist in order for the operation to success. In fact we can speak about a talent or ability of a person to be hypnotized. Moreover, hypnosis can be self-induced, through relaxation, regulating breathing, and other spiritual exercises.
History of Hypnosis:
Before the 15th century, illness was often thought to be a punishment from God or gods. Doctors and magicians at that time would use their magic and techniques to cause an altered state of consciousness to heal the patients. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks utilized their temples and shrines for the purpose of healing patients using induced sleep.
During the 15th century, Paracelsus, a Swiss physician and chemist had a theory that the heavenly bodies exerted an influence on disease and cure by the force of the magnetic fluid
Then in 1765, Franz Anton Mesmer came and started conducting his own studies about hypnosis. He stated that a person could use this magnetic fluid to heal himself. This magnetic healing was performed by applying magnets to the pain areas of the body.
In 1784, a commission was formed by Louis XVI king of France, Benjamin Franklin an American printer, author, diplomat, philosopher and scientist, and M. La...