> was a concern that my mental state would be permanently affected by the experience,

Yup, that's the beginner's curse. Every single person I know who ever tried potent psychoactive substances had this experience at least once. My worst was when I didn't know that the drug I took lasts for several days. Waking up the next day after the trip and realizing I am still not my regular self was a lot more terrifying then the violent hallucinations I had the day before.