no exaggeration, he was afraid that the odor was causing his mind to become altered, he then stated that in order to keep that from happening, he may have to run in panic. He's very intellegent, analytical, and very proper. He was excusing any future odd behavior.
Sense his mind was not adversly affected, he did not have to run away. If his mind HAD been affected in the way he described (deranged) he would have run away in a panic. He has a different mindset than humans do. You can't assume his thoughts or actions like a normal human being.