What did Franz Anton Mesmer believe could be used to influence mental health?

Franz Anton Mesmer proposed the concept of "animal magnetism" as a means to influence mental health. He believed that all living beings were surrounded by a magnetic field, and that this energy could be manipulated to restore balance and health in an individual. Mesmer theorized that disruptions in this magnetic field could lead to physical and mental ailments, and he developed techniques, such as trance-like states and magnetic passes, to realign these energies. This idea laid early groundwork for later therapeutic practices, particularly in the realm of hypnosis and psychosomatic medicine. Mesmer's emphasis on the connectivity of physical and mental health through an energy-based approach was revolutionary for his time and contributed significantly to the fields of psychology and psychiatry.