I'd have to disagree with your Shaver, at least later in the game when skill points are in abundance and mind-reading can be trained to level 15 (no XP cost at all). At the very least it saves you some time loading and saving each time you want to mindread someone.
You don't
have to reload: I had multiple "ouch" moments when it turned out to be a big experience hit for some idiotic comment from the voice in my head, especially as I failed to invest more than one point in mindreading; but it felt game-breaking to reload so I just had to live with the consequences. Still finished at level 44 or 45, which was okay with me.
