Famous Hypnotists

An Austrian physician who proposed the theory of “animal magnetism”, a kind of invisible fluid he believed could be manipulated to heal people. Though his ideas were later discredited, his dramatic therapeutic rituals and focus on suggestion laid the groundwork for modern hypnotism.

A Scottish surgeon who is considered the “Father of Modern Hypnotism.” He rejected Mesmer’s magnetic fluid theory and instead showed that focused attention on an object could induce trance. He coined the term “hypnotism” and demonstrated its practical medical use, for example in surgery.

A Scottish surgeon who used mesmerism for surgical anaesthesia in British India. He developed a very deep hypnotic trance, called the “Esdaile state,” and conducted many successful operations purely under hypnosis, showing its powerful physiological effects.

A French pharmacist and psychologist who popularised autosuggestion. His famous mantra “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better” embodied his belief that healing comes from within, using positive self-suggestion rather than external force.

An American psychologist who applied rigorous experiments to hypnosis. He argued that hypnotic suggestibility is a form of learned habit, not a mystical state, and developed standardised measures of how susceptible people are to hypnotic suggestion.

A Canadian-American psychologist whose controversial work claimed hypnosis could create “super spies” by inducing multiple personalities without conscious awareness — sparking ethical debate about covert influence.

An American psychiatrist who revolutionised hypnotherapy with a flexible, indirect style. He used metaphors and storytelling rather than direct commands, believing the unconscious mind has innate healing potential. His methods heavily influenced modern therapy and NLP.

A Stanford psychologist who developed the “neodissociation” theory of hypnosis. He argued the mind divides during hypnosis, so one part can experience no pain while another “hidden observer” feels it — showing real alterations in consciousness.

An American psychologist who argued hypnotic behaviour is goal-directed, not a special trance. He believed subjects actively choose to play the “role” of being hypnotised, challenging mystical views of hypnosis.

An American psychologist known for his “role theory” of hypnosis. He claimed hypnotised people are not in altered states, but are playing socially-constructed roles based on expectations and motivation.

A psychologist who developed the sociocognitive model of hypnosis, showing that hypnotic responses come from social and cognitive factors (like expectations) rather than a special trance state.

A psychologist who developed the “response expectancy” theory, suggesting that expectation drives effects in both hypnosis and placebo. He controversially argued hypnosis works much like a non-deceptive placebo, reshaping thinking on its mechanism.

An American researcher who challenged traditional trance theory. He argued hypnotic behaviour results from motivation, imagination, and situational factors, not altered consciousness — pioneering a cognitive-behavioural view.

Co-founders of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), they modelled the hypnotic techniques of Milton Erickson, extracting patterns of his language and behaviour to create a method for communication and personal change

A British hypnotist and self-help author known for TV hypnosis shows and for popularising NLP-based techniques for weight loss, confidence, and behaviour change. His books and programs focus on rapid personal transformation through suggestion and psychological strategies.

A British psychological illusionist famous for combining suggestion, hypnosis, misdirection, and behavioural psychology to create the appearance of mind-reading and control. Known for stage shows and TV specials that demystify paranormal claims and highlight how easily the mind can be influenced.