Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer (1734 - 1815)

2 days ago6 min read

Although hypnosis remains a topic of debate among many experts, it has been established as an effective tool for enhancing the results of psychotherapy, particularly in cases of insomnia, smoking cessation, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (Figueroba, 2017). However, in its early days, this procedure was considered unscientific, as even those who practiced it did not fully understand its mechanism. For a long time, hypnosis was known as "mesmerism," in reference to Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer (1734–1815), the physician who popularized this technique. According to Figueroba (2017), Mesmer held peculiar theories about the effects of hypnosis, which generated both admiration and skepticism in his time.

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Biography

Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer was born in 1734 in Iznang, a village in southwestern Germany (Figueroba, 2017). He was the son of a forest ranger who worked for the local bishop (Rozo Castillo, 2007). Although Mesmer initially pursued studies in theology and law, he ultimately earned a doctorate in medicine from the University of Vienna, presenting a dissertation titled On the Influence of the Planets on the Human Body (Figueroba, 2017). This work has been controversial, as Mesmer was suspected of partially plagiarizing the writings of physician Richard Mead. In his dissertation, Mesmer proposed that the gravitational forces of celestial bodies influenced health and disease, intuitively expanding on the gravitational theories formulated by Isaac Newton. Over time, according to Figueroba (2017), Mesmer developed these ideas into the most famous concept of his work: animal magnetism.

At the age of 33, he established himself as a physician in Vienna, though he felt dissatisfied with the medical treatments of the time, which he considered aggressive and ineffective (Figueroba, 2017). Alongside Jesuit priest Maximilian Hell, he discovered in 1771 what he called "animal magnetism," a theory he expounded in his work Message on Magnetic Healing. In this text, he attempted to reconcile the scientific principles of Newton and René Descartes with the astrology of Helmont and Paracelsus (Figueroba, 2017). According to Mesmer, an imperceptible fluid known as "mineral magnetism" permeates everything and regulates life through a constant law of attraction, repulsion, and balance (Fernández & Tamaro, 2004). This fluid also penetrates the human body, exerting a direct influence on the organism and maintaining harmony under certain astral influences. According to Fernández & Tamaro (2004), when external factors disrupt this balance, illness arises, which can be treated by counteracting the harmful influence within the body.

A key case in his career was that of Francisca Österlin, a patient diagnosed with hysteria (Figueroba, 2017). Mesmer claimed to have transferred "animal magnetism" from his own body to Mrs. Österlin using magnets, successfully suppressing her symptoms for several hours. This case brought him notoriety in Vienna, although, due to a controversial case involving psychogenic blindness that cast doubt on his abilities, he decided to relocate to Paris in 1777. In France, he trained several disciples and sought official recognition for his methods. However, he also faced criticism, which eventually led to his exile in Switzerland. Mesmerism persisted after his death in 1815 through his followers, some of whom were respected physicians. According to Figueroba (2017), the field of hypnosis, which evolved from animal magnetism and from attempts by Mesmer’s critics to refute his ideas, was forever shaped by his legacy.

The Evolution of Animal Magnetism: From Paracelsus to Mesmer

The concept of animal magnetism was introduced by Swiss physician and astrologer Paracelsus in the 16th century (Bonis, 2024). Paracelsus argued that the human body was influenced by natural forces and that imbalances in these forces could lead to illness. This notion laid the groundwork for the later development of animal magnetism. However, according to Bonis (2024), to fully understand its origin and evolution, it is essential to look further back in time and explore the influences that shaped Paracelsus’s theories, particularly the humorism theory proposed by Hippocrates.

Hippocrates' humorism theory asserts that human health depends on the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile (Bonis, 2024). Each of these humors corresponds to one of the four classical elements (water, air, earth, and fire) and one of the basic qualities (cold, moist, dry, and hot). According to Hippocrates, an imbalance in these humors leads to illness and dysfunction, while their proper balance promotes health. This understanding of balance and imbalance was crucial in shaping Western medicine, providing a framework that endured for centuries. Furthermore, according to Bonis (2024), the influence of humorism extended to personality psychology, suggesting that imbalances not only affected physical health but also influenced people’s temperaments and behaviors.

Paracelsus expanded on humorism by introducing the idea that external influences could affect bodily humors (Bonis, 2024). He proposed the existence of a universal life force, called the Archeus or archetypal principle, which animated the natural world. This principle had a magnetic nature and manifested in humans as personal or animal magnetism, capable of influencing the Archeus of other beings and the world itself. He suggested that the balance of humors—and thus health—could be restored not only through dietary changes or medicine but also through the manipulation of this force. He introduced the idea that magnets and other forms of magnetic influence could be used to rebalance humors and cure diseases. According to Bonis (2024), this conceptualization marked a departure from traditional medical practices, which focused on humorism, toward a more holistic approach that incorporated the energetic dimension of human beings.

The term "animal magnetism" became widely known thanks to Mesmer (Bonis, 2024). He claimed that living beings possessed an invisible fluid, animal magnetism, which enabled nervous system functions and whose imbalance could cause various diseases (Figueroba, 2017). Consequently, his treatment method consisted of manipulating this magnetism. Mesmer initially used magnets to alter the concentration of animal magnetism in affected areas of the body, convinced that he could transfer this energy from his own body—where it was abundant—to his patients. Figueroba (2017) mentions that, over time, he abandoned the use of magnets and developed more elaborate therapeutic procedures.

Mesmer's theories were based on the premise that animal fluid circulates spontaneously through the organism, although blockages could occasionally occur (Figueroba, 2017). He postulated that illnesses could be treated by inducing "crises" in patients, facilitated by individuals with high levels of animal magnetism, such as himself and his followers. To fully understand the significance of these claims, it is crucial to place them within the context of the 18th century, when concepts like magnetism and a "universal fluid" were widely accepted, as there were still alchemists who defended such beliefs. Likewise, according to Figueroba (2017), Newton's ideas about the existence of ether, a substance with similar characteristics, were also popular at the time.

The Mesmer Technique: A Pioneering Approach to Therapy

Mesmer would sit in front of his patients, allowing their knees to touch while staring intently into their eyes (Figueroba, 2017). At a later stage, he would rub the patient's arms with his hands while simultaneously applying pressure to their abdomen with his fingers for extended periods. This physical interaction sometimes triggered what he called "therapeutic crises," which could manifest as convulsions. At the end of the session, according to Figueroba (2017), he would use a glass harmonica as part of his closing ritual.

Over time, and after gaining considerable fame, he began applying his treatments to large groups of people, many of whom were aristocrats seeking entertainment rather than a genuine medical solution (Figueroba, 2017). In these cases, Mesmer used a container with iron rods, which individuals had to place on the affected areas of their bodies. Despite the peculiar nature of his methods, Mesmer successfully alleviated various psychological disorders, particularly hysteria. Figueroba (2017) mentions that, although the hypotheses supporting his practice were ultimately incorrect, his procedures proved effective due to the power of autosuggestion, a mechanism later validated by scientific research.

The Influence of Mesmerism on Modern Psychology

Although mesmerism was discredited as a medical science and its theoretical foundations were questioned, its influence on the development of modern psychology and hypnotherapy is undeniable (Bonis, 2024). After Mesmer's death, the effects of mesmerism were attributed to the control of patients' behavior (Figueroba, 2017). However, according to Figueroba (2017), physicians such as John Elliotson and James Esdaile used Mesmer’s methods to treat psychogenic disorders and anesthetize patients; the latter use became less relevant with the introduction of chemical anesthetics.

The transition from magnetism to hypnosis is credited to James Braid, a Scottish surgeon who coined the term "hypnotism" (Figueroba, 2017). Braid argued that the hypnotic state depended on the patient's physical and mental conditions rather than an abstract magnetic fluid. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the undeniable effectiveness of mesmerism in certain disorders. Additionally, some continued the tradition of magnetism, primarily to treat physical illnesses. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the profession of "magnetizer" emerged—individuals who used magnets or gestures similar to those of Mesmer, based on his pseudoscientific theories. Due to the weakness of Mesmer's hypotheses, the hypnotists who followed him faced discredit from the scientific community. According to Figueroba (2017), this skepticism has largely persisted to the present day, despite the fact that hypnosis has been validated by science as a supportive therapeutic tool.

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