History of hypnosis starts from ancient times. In ancient times, hypnosis mainly was used for healing purposes, especially in religious ceremonies. The earliest evidence of its existence was shamans.

Shaman paid special attention to the concentration before healing someone. He avoided the use of any chemicals or alcoholic substances in the first 24 hours of the process. Because he needed a strong concentration, so he avoided anything distracting.

Hypnosis has been a part of ancient cultures in places such as Egypt. The earliest written records can be found in Ebers Papyrus - an Egyptian medical text. Ebers Papyrus preserves the most voluminous record of ancient Egyptian medicine.

The Ancient Egyptians had their Temples of Sleep and the Greeks their Shrines of Healing. Sleep temples were hospitals of sorts, healing a variety of ailments. Treatment involved chanting, dancing, placing the patient into a hypnotic state and analyzing their dreams in order to determine treatment.

The elements of hypnosis are also seen in Persian Magi, Celtic Druids, Chinese teachers of religion, Hindu Fakirs and African Witch Doctors.

This is an ancient history of hypnosis and how people used it. Learning ancient hypnosis history helps to understand the modern hypnosis better and improve hypnosis techniques in this way.