I felt the "lightness of being" almost immediately, in spite of a huge price to pay in family and friends. I like jgnats analogy of being confined in a stifling environment through mind manipulation. After being an elder for many years and setting on a lot of JC cases it was clear to me that there were more unhappy, troubled people inside the org. than outside as a percentage of population.
One thing though - I was a "jumper" not a "fader". I feel this makes a huge difference in experiencing that first breath of cool, sweet air.
I was thinking about the movie "The Village". A lot of elements remind me of the JW 'village'. Being kept in through fear and intimidation.