In primitive tribal villages, witch doctors would often make use of ceremonies and spells to get the ill into a trance-like state, before inviting gods to enter and eliminate the pain or disease. In the murals of the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Assyria, there are depictions of hypnotizing patients for pulling teeth, setting bones or performing surgery.
原始部落中，巫師常運用儀式、符咒來讓人不知不覺進入恍惚狀態，接著暗示神祇將進入體內讓疼痛或疾病消失；在埃及、亞述的古文明壁畫上，也有一些催眠後拔牙、接骨，或施行外科手術的描繪。