Nose Breathing Patterns Emerge as Unique "Breath Prints" for Identification

In a groundbreaking study published in July 2025, researchers have discovered that each person's nasal breathing patterns are unique enough to potentially serve as a "breath print" for identification. The study, conducted by a team at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, involved 100 participants who wore sensors for 24 hours to record their breathing patterns.

The researchers found that by analyzing the data from these sensors, they could distinguish individuals with over 90% accuracy. The study revealed that people have unique traits in their breathing, such as the consistency of pauses before inhalation, the speed of exhalation, and the relative flow between nostrils. These patterns remained consistent even when the participants were retested nearly two years later.

Beyond identification, the researchers also discovered potential links between breathing patterns and physical and mental health. They found correlations between participants' breathing and their body mass index, as well as traits related to anxiety, depression, and autism. For example, people who scored high on depressive traits tended to exhale very quickly.

The findings suggest that our breathing, a process we often take for granted, may contain a wealth of information about our individual biology and psychology. As the researchers note, this could lead to new ways of monitoring health and potentially even teaching people to modify their breathing patterns for therapeutic benefits.