Also, what are some of the worst negative effects you've observed among the people you facilitated for?
People who go through this once come back to the other side utterly transformed. With the proper preparation and integration, they have a far greater ability to live a more aligned life in which it is easier to manifest situation of highest potential.
I've seen people release PTSD linked with being in combat, release sexual abuse in childhood (of which they were unaware), release profound rage & anger.
Each person having gone through the process has left behind "heavy layers" of pain.
The worst effect I've seen with people is going through a period of frustration and resistance by trying to go back to their "old" life. This has each time subsided as their new life takes off.
I must say I use a progressive process that I haven't seen anywhere else. The preparation process I use gets you prepared as best as possible (even though you are NEVER prepared for the experience of non-duality). It is then easier to retain the greatest changes. The integration makes sure you can transform the insights and realizations into applications in your life, which is the true integration.
Behaviorally most just go back to the same patterns and aren't particularly changed. Ayahuasca, due to the before/after dietary constraints, is more effective (IMO) in inducing lifestyle changes.
That said, 5MeO is the death experience (i.e. it very likely mirrors the experience at the moment of physical death) and is, if nothing else, great practice for the real thing :)
In terms of adverse effects, some wounded warriors take days, weeks, or even months to heal, but that's the same for any psychedelic, a segment of the population will be adversely affected.
Also, 5MeO can be abused; I've encountered at least one facilitator who takes it daily (over 3K journeys), which seems somewhat excessive, and can be seen in their flat affect (i.e. you'd expect such a being to radiate joy if number of journeys === depth of experience).
I agree that without the proper context & assistance, most of the effect is just wasted and remains in people's Being as a distant experience.
As far as integration goes, I mean, who really knows the territory of the infinite such that they can help another through some difficulty in their own unique path? Most facilitators that I've seen just collect the rather large cash based consulting fee and move on to the next group, with a hug or pat on the back if a participant had a difficult journey.
I'm certainly skeptical when there's an undeniable profit motive involved, so the whole facilitator role is a bit overblown; there's no shamanic tradition behind Bufo (discovered in the 80s), it's just people that have had experience with the substance serving it to others, hopefully with good intentions.
I also agree that nothing can prepare for the non-duality - but preparation can help you make the most of the experience & retain what was meaningful to you.
You'd be surprised how far we've come in terms of knowledge. We do have the practical models to navigate the dual experience having had the non-dual experience. Understanding that you are the embodiment of the Infinite through your direct experience isn't an end in itself. It is a beginning.
I have developed "business models of Being" for a lack of better terms that frames how to operate in an optimal fashion in the practical world of service.
While I trust that you can give psychologically healthy people a good experience, I have a hard time imagining how you could give the necessary support to people with larger issues. And because those issues are often deeply hidden, it is hard even for professionals to detect that in advance.
It is an intense journey but if you come with the right intention (heal, grow etc - & an attitude of humility & surrender), then there are tools to support you and in my experience, it all comes out alright.
From what i read of the Johns Hopkins studies using psychedelics to quit smoking, CBT style sessions before the psychedelics was a key part of the program.