What Is Hypnokink? Part 3 – A Brief History

Hypnosis, as both a concept and a practice, has fascinated humanity for centuries. While the term itself and its clinical use are relatively recent, the underlying phenomena stretch far back through human history.

Its roots lie in ancient civilizations, where trance-like states were used for healing, ritual, and spiritual exploration. Even today, remote tribal cultures continue to employ traditional healers who intuitively use techniques that mirror modern hypnotic principles, such as rhythm, suggestion, focused attention, and altered states of awareness.

However, the formal (scientific) study and use of hypnosis began to take hold in the 18th century with figures like Franz Mesmer, whose theories of “animal magnetism” laid the groundwork for modern hypnotic practices. Mesmer believed he had the power to wield an invisible natural force to heal and influence the body and mind – and is the source of the term “Mesmerised”. Incidentally, it was James Braid, a Scottish surgeon, who coined the phrased “hypnotism” in the early 19th century, after the Greek god of sleep “Hypnos”. Although years later, after realising hypnosis isn’t sleep, he tried to change the word to “monoideism” – unsuccessfully.

In literature, particularly Gothic fiction of the 19th century, hypnosis often appeared as a tool wielded by seductive figures to exert control over others. For example, in George du Maurier’s Trilby (1894), the character Svengali hypnotises Trilby, transforming her into a talented singer who performs only under his influence.

Similarly, and more famously, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) features the titular vampire exerting a hypnotic influence over his victims and his thrall, Renfield, blurring the lines between supernatural power and psychological manipulation and enslavement. These narratives, while not explicitly erotic, often carried undertones of seduction and power dynamics that resonate with the BDSM themes often explored in hypnokink. I have explored this myself in The Night Neighbour 1: Bloodlust [NSFW].

The explicit exploration of hypnosis in erotic contexts became only really gained popularity in the 20th century, with the advent of mass media and the internet. These days, erotic hypnosis shows up in all kinds of ways: voice files and videos that drop the listener deep into trance; real-life kink scenes where hypnosis adds a layer of control or surrender; and even digital doms/dommes using hypnotic triggers, language patterns, and conditioning to deepen their power exchange with submissives, consensually of course!

Many communities have formed around shared interests in this kink, with conventions, workshops, and online forums dedicated to its practice and discussion. The end of this article lists a few.

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Erotic Hypnosis Conferences

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Erotic Hypnosis Online

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Exploring its history gives us vital context for how hypnokink evolved into what it is now.
Next time, we’ll explore how it feels. The mental, emotional, physical traits, and why people crave it.