Who was one of the first to use hypnosis as a therapeutic practice?

Franz Mesmer was one of the pioneers in using hypnosis as a therapeutic practice, and he is often credited with laying the groundwork for its use in modern psychotherapy. Mesmer developed a technique he called "mesmerism," which involved inducing a trance-like state in patients to treat various ailments, based on the belief that there was a natural energy transfer between the healer and the patient. His work in this area brought attention to the potential psychological benefits of altered states of consciousness and paved the way for subsequent developments in hypnotic practices. The terminology and methods he used contributed significantly to the understanding of hypnosis, leading to its acceptance as a therapeutic tool in various psychological treatments.