In the late 18th century, Europe was captivated by a mysterious theory called animal magnetism. Developed by Franz Mesmer, this concept suggested that an invisible natural force flowed between all living things and could be manipulated to heal disease.
Mesmer’s séances in Paris became legendary. Patients gathered around a “baquet,” a magnetic tub, while Mesmer used metal rods and dramatic gestures to induce trance-like states.
In 1784, a royal commission including Benjamin Franklin investigated his claims. Their conclusion? The effects were caused by imagination, not magnetism.
Yet ironically, Mesmer’s work laid the foundation for modern hypnosis and psychological suggestion.
Today, mesmerism remains a powerful chapter in the history of science and psychology.
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