Researchers at the University of Maryland are seeking volunteers to wear specially designed “smart underwear” as part of a study to more accurately measure human flatulence. The project, led by Assistant Professor Brantley Hall in the department of cell biology and molecular genetics, aims to establish a baseline understanding of normal gas production and its connection to diet and gut health.
The underwear incorporates a device that tracks the production of intestinal gases, including hydrogen, offering a continuous monitoring capability. “Think of it like a continuous glucose monitor, but for intestinal gas,” Hall explained, according to a university statement. The research builds on a 2025 study that estimated healthy adults fart an average of 32 times per day – a figure roughly double previous estimates.
“We don’t actually know what normal flatus production looks like,” Hall said. “Without that baseline, it’s hard to know when someone’s gas production is truly excessive.” The team intends to correlate flatulence patterns with participants’ dietary habits and the composition of their gut microbiomes.
The data collected will contribute to the creation of a “Human Flatus Atlas,” a comprehensive resource intended to quantify the range of intestinal gas production. Researchers hope this atlas will provide a deeper understanding of gut health and the complex role of the microbiome. According to News-Medical, this is the first wearable device created to measure human flatulence.
The University of Maryland team is specifically recruiting individuals with varying flatulence levels: those who consume high-fiber diets but rarely experience gas, those who fart frequently, and those who fall somewhere in between. Volunteers will contribute to a study that seeks to move beyond longstanding assumptions about a common bodily function.
