Vinyl lactam-based substances are good at stopping methane hydrate formation at low temperatures but can switch roles at higher temperatures by promoting hydrate formation. Researchers used computer simulations to investigate why this change happens. They discovered that these substances can help methane and water molecules come together faster, which can speed up the formation of hydrate. The substances also make a type of hydrate (sII) more likely to form and last longer by giving methane and water an advantage when they mix.