Nothing is more true... after every journey to date, SWIM is left telling himself, "What in the world were you anxious about? This is beauty... this is AMAZEMENT..." and he is left with 10 times the positive energy he had before lift-off.
Satisfied is an understatement. Of course, all statements are generally understatements regarding the spice.
On another note, SWIM would imagine taking a shot for the sole purpose of killing the nerves before spicing would NOT bode well with him and his journey. "What are you trying to hide from?" he imagines he would hear. It wouldn't be a problem with the alcohol itself, but with the intent behind taking the alcohol.
Those jitters, the anxiousness, the fear, even, all stem from respect, as antrocles said. You are an incredibly wise one, my friend. Do you have any youngin's? I'd imagine you'd make a wonderful father. Kind of wierd to say... but I'd be willing to bet... 8)
Also something to note - SWIM always leaves the ganj until afterwards. For him, it's much much MUCH more rewarding this way and lends itself to remembering and getting something out of the experience as a whole. To be high beforehand, while not bad, is just really a neutral thing. It doesn't affect the journey, but it does affect that PURE afterglow the spice gives once SWIY is back to reality (not in the sense of... well... no more of that afterglow... just more of a... well... I'm stoned and this feels great...). SWIM just loves experiencing that in its full beauty for awhile, before getting lifted.