Method hub

Mesmerism

Mesmerism, also called animal magnetism, is the healing practice developed by the German physician Franz Anton Mesmer in the 1770s. Start with our complete guide.

1 guide · 6 videos · 4 podcasts · 3 books · 2 apps · 1 free tool

Mesmerism, also called animal magnetism, is the healing practice developed by the German physician Franz Anton Mesmer in the 1770s.

This hub is the home on Self Help Supermarket for Mesmerism. Our complete guide explains the method step by step, and below you will find the videos, podcasts, books and other resources for Mesmerism that we have checked.

Start here

New to Mesmerism? Our complete guide covers Franz Mesmer, animal magnetism and how mesmerism led to modern hypnosis, with the key books.

What people use it for

Videos 6

Podcasts 4

Books & apps 5

App

Mesmerize – Visual Meditation

Rockwell Ventures Inc · App Store (iPhone, iPad) · Free to download (in-app purchases)

Mesmerize - Visual Meditation: an app for Mesmerism on iPhone and iPad.

App

Mesmerize: a toilet time game!

Istvan Tomor · App Store (iPhone, iPad) · Free to download (in-app purchases)

Mesmerize: a toilet time game!: an app for Mesmerism on iPhone and iPad.

Free tools & guides 1

Free tool

Franz Anton Mesmer

Encyclopaedia Britannica · britannica.com · Free

A concise biography of Franz Mesmer.

FAQs

Where should a complete beginner start?

Read our complete guide first. It explains Mesmerism step by step. Then come back here for the videos, podcasts, books and resources we have checked.

What is mesmerism?

Mesmerism, or animal magnetism, is the healing practice developed by Franz Anton Mesmer in the 1770s. It used slow hand passes and close rapport to guide what Mesmer believed was a natural healing force, and it led to modern hypnosis.

Is mesmerism the same as hypnosis?

Not quite. Mesmerism is the earlier practice based on animal magnetism. Hypnosis grew out of it in the 1840s, when James Braid explained trance through focused attention and suggestion.

Where does the word "mesmerise" come from?

It comes from Franz Mesmer. Because his sessions were so captivating, "mesmerise" came to mean to hold someone's attention completely.

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This hub is for general information and self-help education. It is not medical or psychological advice. External resources are selected by our editors and checked when listed; we are not responsible for third-party content.