In the 18th century, a man claimed he could cure ANY disease with his INVISIBLE force.
His bizarre results haunted all scientists.
But after an investigation, a sinister truth was revealed...
Here’s the full story of Anton Mesmer: 🧵 x.com
His bizarre results haunted all scientists.
But after an investigation, a sinister truth was revealed...
Here’s the full story of Anton Mesmer: 🧵 x.com
Anton Mesmer was born in 1734 in what is now Germany.
Trained as a physician, Mesmer believed illness wasn’t just physical—it was energetic.
He theorized that the human body had a magnetic field, and when this field was disrupted, it caused disease. x.com
Trained as a physician, Mesmer believed illness wasn’t just physical—it was energetic.
He theorized that the human body had a magnetic field, and when this field was disrupted, it caused disease. x.com
Mesmer called this force animal magnetism—an invisible energy that flowed between all living things.
His bold claim?
The mind and body could heal themselves by restoring balance to this energy.
This idea would change the course of medicine forever. x.com
His bold claim?
The mind and body could heal themselves by restoring balance to this energy.
This idea would change the course of medicine forever. x.com
In 1774, Mesmer performed his first major experiment.
A woman suffering from severe convulsions drank water Mesmer had “magnetized” using iron rods.
Her convulsions stopped.
Mesmer declared it proof that animal magnetism could restore the body’s balance. x.com
A woman suffering from severe convulsions drank water Mesmer had “magnetized” using iron rods.
Her convulsions stopped.
Mesmer declared it proof that animal magnetism could restore the body’s balance. x.com
Mesmer’s sessions became theatrical spectacles:
• Patients sat in a circle holding metal rods connected to “magnetized” water.
• Mesmer made dramatic gestures, claiming to direct the invisible force.
• Many patients experienced intense emotional or physical reactions. x.com
• Patients sat in a circle holding metal rods connected to “magnetized” water.
• Mesmer made dramatic gestures, claiming to direct the invisible force.
• Many patients experienced intense emotional or physical reactions. x.com
Mesmer’s methods tapped into these systems, showing that belief alone could shift biology.
Critics accused Mesmer of being a fraud.
In 1784, King Louis XVI ordered an investigation.
Critics accused Mesmer of being a fraud.
In 1784, King Louis XVI ordered an investigation.
A team led by Benjamin Franklin concluded that Mesmer’s results weren’t due to animal magnetism but imagination and suggestion.
Mesmer’s reputation was shattered—but his discoveries endured.
The report dismissed Mesmer, but it also revealed something profound: x.com
Mesmer’s reputation was shattered—but his discoveries endured.
The report dismissed Mesmer, but it also revealed something profound: x.com
But it wasn’t just the water.
What Mesmer tapped into was something far more powerful:
• The mind’s expectation of healing.
• The subconscious belief that a cure was at hand.
The placebo effect occurs when belief alone triggers real, measurable changes in the body. x.com
What Mesmer tapped into was something far more powerful:
• The mind’s expectation of healing.
• The subconscious belief that a cure was at hand.
The placebo effect occurs when belief alone triggers real, measurable changes in the body. x.com
Mesmer’s patients reported:
• Pain relief
• Emotional breakthroughs
• Even restored vision
Their subconscious minds activated the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
• Pain relief
• Emotional breakthroughs
• Even restored vision
Their subconscious minds activated the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
• Cortisol levels dropped (reducing stress).
• Dopamine increased (boosting mood).
• Pain thresholds rose.
The subconscious controls much of the body’s automatic systems:
• Hormones
• Immune responses
• Inflammation x.com
• Dopamine increased (boosting mood).
• Pain thresholds rose.
The subconscious controls much of the body’s automatic systems:
• Hormones
• Immune responses
• Inflammation x.com
But why?
Modern science explains it like this:
The brain doesn’t just respond to what’s real—it responds to what it believes is real.
When Mesmer created rituals that felt powerful, patients’ subconscious minds did the rest. x.com
Modern science explains it like this:
The brain doesn’t just respond to what’s real—it responds to what it believes is real.
When Mesmer created rituals that felt powerful, patients’ subconscious minds did the rest. x.com
The placebo effect—a term we now use to describe how belief can trigger real healing.
It’s not magic. It’s the subconscious mind influencing the body in measurable ways.
Modern studies confirm this. x.com
It’s not magic. It’s the subconscious mind influencing the body in measurable ways.
Modern studies confirm this. x.com
• Patients given placebo pills often show significant improvement—even when they know the pill is fake.
• Brain scans reveal that placebos can activate pain-relief pathways and boost immune responses.
The subconscious plays a key role.
• Brain scans reveal that placebos can activate pain-relief pathways and boost immune responses.
The subconscious plays a key role.
Mesmer’s methods were dramatic, but they hinted at truths science is only beginning to understand:
• The brain can influence physical health.
• Belief can drive biological change.
• Rituals and symbols can access subconscious processes.
He was ahead of his time. x.com
• The brain can influence physical health.
• Belief can drive biological change.
• Rituals and symbols can access subconscious processes.
He was ahead of his time. x.com
Today, the placebo effect is a cornerstone of medical research.
Clinical trials measure a treatment’s success by comparing it to placebos.
Why? Because the brain’s ability to heal itself is so powerful, it’s hard to distinguish from the effects of actual medicine.
Clinical trials measure a treatment’s success by comparing it to placebos.
Why? Because the brain’s ability to heal itself is so powerful, it’s hard to distinguish from the effects of actual medicine.
Mesmer showed us that the mind and body are deeply connected.
He may not have understood the science behind his methods, but he revealed something profound:
The subconscious mind is a powerful tool for healing—when we know how to use it. x.com
He may not have understood the science behind his methods, but he revealed something profound:
The subconscious mind is a powerful tool for healing—when we know how to use it. x.com
“The imagination is the most powerful tool of all.” – Anton Mesmer
His legacy lives on in hypnosis, placebo research, and modern psychology.
He dared to ask: What if healing begins not with medicine but with belief?
Fun fact: Now you know the origin of the word: "mesmerize"
His legacy lives on in hypnosis, placebo research, and modern psychology.
He dared to ask: What if healing begins not with medicine but with belief?
Fun fact: Now you know the origin of the word: "mesmerize"
If you liked this thread, join me on my mission:
"School and society never taught you how to master the mind.
My mission is to uncover the hidden wisdom in psychology and game theory for those who seek power and self-mastery.
Follow me @mentalities_ to become Der Ăśbermensch. x.com
"School and society never taught you how to master the mind.
My mission is to uncover the hidden wisdom in psychology and game theory for those who seek power and self-mastery.
Follow me @mentalities_ to become Der Ăśbermensch. x.com
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