To be honest, I don't think they see the CO2 can and go I KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT'S GOING TO KILL ME.
It seems more that they're talking about the human brain in that article.
It is like sitting in a closed garage with your car on and the windows down. People have attempted suicide that way and survived after passing out. They said it was nothing more than like falling asleep.
I don't think falling asleep would cause fear in the mice. IMO.
If I saw my mice and rats panicking as they died from the CO2 I'd be a little more concerned. I see them act completely normal and lay down and fall asleep to never wake up. Most humane method if it's done right in my book.