I would argue this article was altogether accurate regarding brainwashing as Eric Fromm wrote clearly on some of the issues…

Musical Hypnosis: Sound and Selfhood from Mesmerism to Brainwashing

…of idolatry and its use even by religion.   One could be said to be mesmerized and even brainwashed by Jesus and his purported feats whether they be real or not.  Again neurolinguistics grabs hold of the human brain.   So it is with the music idol, political idols, fashion idols, film idols, etc.   Symbolism through art has its powers over human brain as well.