How old is hypnosis?

Many might find this hard to believe, but as early as 3,000 B.C, the Egyptians had knowledge of and were using hypnosis and hypnotism, as is proven by hieroglyphics found on tombs of the period. The Greeks also understood it, as well as Mayas of South America. Hypnosis was also used by Hindu fakirs, the Persian magi, the Celtic druids and African witch doctors. It might even go back to prehistoric times.

Some people believe that hypnosis was spontaneously discovered in each civilization of the world as its history unfolded, and that it will become known in any group of people, in any setting. Why, then, is it still a mystery today? Hollywood is not totally to blame.

Firstly, humans are greedy by nature, and pioneers of hypnosis were not exceptions. In all probability, the first hypnotists soon became the first witch doctors and shamans, and this knowledge was jealously guarded, shrouding it in mysticism and religion.

Another reason contributing to the lack of knowledge of hypnotism is our innate trait to fear and ridicule that which we don’t understand; but every science has had to travel the same hard road from disbelief through fear, to common acceptance. For example, consider how people laughed at the Wright brothers. Most people then thought that if God intended man to fly, he would have given man wings. Even electricity was considered occult and demonic power in the not too distant past.

Is it surprising, then, that hypnosis, still considered an occult and mystic science by many, should take so long to earn appreciation and prevalent acceptance? Since the dawn of history, its secrets have been kept from the average person.