World Hypnotism Day – January 4, 2025

History of World Hypnotism Day

The origin of hypnosis in Western science can be traced back to 1770. Franz Mesmer, born in 1734, was a German physician who used hypnosis as a form of therapy to treat his patients in Vienna and Paris. Mesmer’s method interested other medical practitioners and they called it mesmerism after his name. Unfortunately, hypnosis was mistaken for an occultist practice, and it was suppressed. Later on, Scottish surgeon James Braid came up with the terms ‘hypnotism’ and ‘hypnosis’. 

In 2004, Board Certified Hypnotist Tom Nicoli and the World Hypnotism Day Committee began the observance to motivate hypnotism experts to educate people and promote the real benefits of and truth about hypnosis. The initial observance kicked off myth-busting events that provided proof, free consultations and an awareness of the part hypnosis can play in our health. World Hypnotism Day on January 4 emphasizes the fact that hypnosis is beneficial.  On this day, we are encouraged to eliminate the misconceptions and misunderstandings about hypnotism and to truly embrace it as the useful aid that it is.

When under hypnosis, a person will see, feel, smell, and perceive in harmony with the hypnotist’s guidance, even if these guides are in obvious contradiction to the actual stimuli existing in the environment. Apparent outcomes of hypnosis are sensory changes, the subject’s memory and self-awareness are altered by guidance, and the effects of this guidance may be felt (post-hypnotically) even after the subject wakes up. Hypnosis is a life-changing opportunity. It is a way for someone to write new chapters in their life, so to speak.