How many layers of DW = decoupling?

I have a sandwich of DW+GG on my basement HT ceiling. Only problem is that it is coupled (my ignorance ) .
Given that I can't take it down b/c
(a) my wife is very sensitive to dust, and would flip if I took down the ceiling causing tons of dust to go up to the now exposed 1st floor (exposed - other than the flooring)
(b) time/cost to take down the ceiling
(c) in addition, there's drywall compound spackle over the ENTIRE ceiling (again, my ignorance) and from what I've read this is dangerous to breath in , and takign down the ceiling may cause it to become airbourne.

That being the case (that the ceiling is coupled) - AND my only concern (other than safety) is keeping LFE from getting up to the joists, and then through the house.

My Q is - how many layers of 5/8" DW and how many GG applications would give the same LFE containment as I would have gotten had I done it "the right way" and decoupled the wall to start + DW/GG. i.e. how may layers would I need to keep the LFE contained in the HT?

btw - I'm sure you already know this, but I've got to say that Ted White is by far the biggest help and a Genuine help and not just out to make a sale. I've called him multiple times, practically begging him to buy more stuff from him - and he keeps on giving me other alternatives via standard materials. Through his help, I've shored up the rest of my mistakes, and now (I hope) remain with only the problem of the ceiling. I feel guilty calling him again (plus interested in consensus) so I'm posting the Q here, but Ted: thanks so much, I'm very grateful.

Lets say that I added 3 additional layers of 5/8"dry wall (making a Total of nearly 3" of dry wall in total with the 3/4" that's already there.) I'd hope that's enough, but if nec. I can add 3 layers of green glue between the newly added DW) wouldn't the sheer mass and dampening keep the rumbling down?
Or is it truly decoup,e or nothing?
By the way can the 2x6 joists support the weight of 3"worth of dry wall (house is approx. 50 years old, and room is approx 10x20' - part of a full basement (I'll start a separate thread for this Q, so as to not confuse things)

My Q is one of threshold - i.e. currently there's enough noise that I can't watch a movie with th sub on at night without some risk of waking the kids.

If adding DW will do the trick, then why go through the effort, expense, etc (listed above)
However, if adding 3 more layers of DW won't do it, then I might go ahead and rip down the current ceiling.

Though, even if I did rip down the ceiling, I have one side wall attached (coupled) to the ceiling beam anyway - and I don't think that I'd be able to take that down (it's 3" of drywall (it's REALLY heavy) in a 2x4 frame attached to the ceiling joists - it'd be a major job,
So the Q is- woudl the coupling of the walls, ruin the gain I'd achieve by decoupling the ceiling?

Again, I'm trying to reach that threshold (not necessarily reach perfect sound containment) - but on the other hand if I'm short of that, it's $ and effort wasted.

I see that if I'm going to do this (and be happy) I'm going to need to "do it over and do it right"
Lesson learned - many things in this hobby I've found that the many members have much more heightened senses and thus go for things / equipment - which for me I woudln't tell the difference (e.g. my ears would be happy with lesser equip and treatment and not even notice the difference at a certain point) - this has lead to the idea of not heeding some advice here thinking just like I don't need the highest end equip, I also don't need the highest end sound proofing.
Lesson learned - when it comes to sound proofing the above doesn't apply- - it's purely a matter of how loud you want to enjoy the movie, and if you like LFE / subwoofer. IF so, regardless of audio sensitivy - you need it done right.
On the other hand, I don't think I would have been able to "Do it right" the first time (lack of funds) - so my partial job - has allowed me to enjoy a HT (albeit without the sub) for a few years, and if not, I probably woudln't have started this hobby at all.

Now I see that I'll have to stay with what I have until I get up the time and $ (and approval) to take down what I have and "Do it right".
Oh well - I was planning to add a few layers of dry wall on the work day off today - and blast a movie tonight - Instead - I perhaps saved myself from collapsing my ceiling, and had a nice day out with my wife...
One Question - - I understand that to do it over, I'll need to take down the existing coupled DW GG sandwhich , though I want to know if I'll also need to take down the insulation filling the cavity :
(a) perhaps to put DW+GG on the top of the ceiing (underside of upper floor ) - since the noise is only from the basement (lower level) HT to prevent it from coming up?
(b) perhaps b/c my joists are 2x8 (actual measurement is 1.5 x7) and I filled the cavity competly with 2 layers of R-13 insulation - is that too much, will I need to take it down b/c there's no air space (all filled with insulation)?

thx!

I have a sidewall (split in 2 parts 10' each (separated by doorway) which is a 2x4 frame and filled with 3" of dryway. Thus each wall segment is approx. 7-800 lbs ea. For each segment , the top 2x4 is drilled directly into the joists (actuallly through the ceiling DW and then into the joists (4" DW screws)). Each is attached in about 3 (maybe 4 locations/joists). i.e. they are coupled.
If I undergo this ceiling redo, will I need to redo the walls too? Also if the ceiling is removed, that will leave a gap (was wood (2x4) - 1" DW - joist and now would be wood (2x4) - 1" space - joist) - is this a problem (structurally speaking)
An idea: - perhaps with the layers of DW ceiling between the 2x4 and joists removed - would I be able to saw off the screws (perhaps leaving one if nec.) - i.e. can the wall stand on it's own (since it's soo heavy, that I doesn't need to be attached to the ceiling

This morning I measured R-13 insulation and it's approx. 5" when not compressed. So since I have 2 layers of it, squeezed into a 7" cavity - there must be some compression of it.
Will this be a problem that will require me to take out the insulation?

Gotcha - thx