Inclusive approaches to research and healthcare for nitrous oxide users: lessons from a longitudinal study

Recreational use of nitrous oxide (N₂O) has risen markedly over the past decade; typically, users are young adults, often from ethnic minority backgrounds and not in full-time employment. Prolonged or intense N₂O use can inactivate vitamin B₁₂, leading to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, which may result in significant neurological disability. Understanding N₂O-related health and social harms remains challenging due to limited patient engagement with research and healthcare.

Drawing on our experience of conducting a longitudinal study and existing literature, we offer practical recommendations for researchers and clinicians.

Inclusive research practices that incorporate lived experience perspectives are essential to enhance relevance and accessibility. Offering compensation, psychological support resources and flexible delivery models may improve recruitment and retention. Confidentiality limits must be clearly communicated, particularly when illegal activity may be disclosed.

Strengthening engagement in research will inform evidence-based practice within healthcare systems. Additionally, we advocate for better training on N₂O-related harms and multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance healthcare provision. Trial registration number NCT05714917.