@HA001 pointed out Ace had COC while not knowing if he even should have been born, but Kata having it while having self esteem issues about his face also point to the fact that the "self actualization" thing doesn't really make sense either. You'd also have to wonder about Imu and the Gorosei who larp as Gods, but clearly know they're mortal. I know that for years people just took for granted that COC users were characters who were "fearless" which had it's own issues, but the current explanation might even be worse now