Episode 307
Richard Blake, Ph. D.
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Richard Blake, a pioneering psychologist and breathwork researcher, to discuss the science and clinical application of Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB).
Dr. Blake shares key insights from his groundbreaking randomized controlled trial—the largest to date—on the effectiveness of CCB for reducing anxiety. The conversation explores the distinctions between breathwork modalities, how altered states are reached without substances, and why trauma-informed facilitation is essential for safe practice.
Paul and Dr. Blake also dive into the pitfalls of mainstream psychotherapy, the overlooked power of lifestyle interventions, and how breathwork compares to both SSRIs and psychedelics in measurable outcomes.
Dr. Richard Blake holds a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and is a pioneering researcher in the field of breathwork, psychedelics, and holistic mental health. He conducted the largest-ever randomized controlled trial on Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB), providing groundbreaking scientific evidence on its effects on anxiety and well-being.
Dr. Blake works with RUNGA, where he is dedicated to advancing the evolution of mental health treatments—moving beyond head-centered approaches to include breathwork, psychedelics, nutrition, exercise, and other integrative healing practices. His mission is to help people unlock deeper levels of psychological resilience, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness through embodied and experiential methods.
Dr. Blake completed a foundational apprenticeship in ayahuasca at the Ayahuasca Foundation in Peru, where he gained direct experience with indigenous healing traditions. His work bridges scientific research with ancient wisdom, exploring the therapeutic potential of altered states, metabolic health, and expanded consciousness in personal transformation.
Podcast Highlights
- Why breathwork is a potent tool for trauma and anxiety
- Comparing Holotropic Breathwork to newer trauma-informed approaches
- Facilitator-to-client ratio standards for safety
- The ethics and economics of group breathwork sessions
- Inside the largest randomized trial on CCB for anxiety
- Why 5% adverse effects matters—and how it compares to SSRIs
- The “pivotal mental states” hypothesis explained
- Integration of talk therapy and altered states
- The power of community and connection in healing
- From peak performance to depth psychology: Dr. Blake’s story
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