Freud and Hypnosis
(By J. Ben Fisher CI, CMH)
I continuously hear people speak of Freud abandoning the practice of hypnosis. I have heard theories ranging from "he was not good at it" to "he abandoned the practice to give his theories more credibility in the scientific community". This does not make sense, as Freud based the entire Psychoanalytic Theory (his life’s work) from information garnered from participants while they were in hypnosis and Charcot himself stated that Freud was one of his best students.
The truth is Freud suffered from mouth cancer manifested by his insatiable desire (should we say "oral fixation") for rather strong, nasty cigars. The hypnotic patter that is common for most hypnotists became impossible for him after a time. Also, he had just been run out of France (practically on a rail) for his practices and his postulates based on the practice of hypnosis.
In fact, Freud still plied the hypnosis trade; he just used a different induction, and called it "free association". His whole office set up, with the strange and exotic memorabilia, the color and pattern of the wallpaper, as well as Freud’s reputation and presence, was in fact an instant induction. Freud had well learned that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and he simply facilitated the participants’ journey in this realm without the use of the incessant verbal influence less experienced hypnotists feel they need.

Whether you call it mental relaxation, hypnosis, or free association, a rose is a rose is a rose...
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