Young people harmed by nitrous oxide use most likely to be Asian men – study

The finding may suggest a genetic susceptibility to nerve damage caused by the gas, or reflect social factors, according to the research. Photograph: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

Young people experiencing neurological harm after using laughing gas are most likely to be male and Asian, according to a small study of patients admitted to hospital in England.

Nitrous oxide is the second most common drug used by 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK. It is typically released into balloons from small silver canisters before being inhaled. Rishi Sunak recently announced plans to criminalise the drug.