Health
‘Call a Boomer’ payphones help cure loneliness, spark friendships across generations
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Along a bustling sidewalk in Boston, a bright yellow payphone invites folks to “call a Boomer.”
Almost 3,000 miles away in Reno, Nevada, a nearly identical phone prompts residents of Sierra Manor – an apartment complex for seniors – to “Call a Zoomer.” The goal is simple: to get strangers to talk to each other.
The project, often referred to as simply “Call a Boomer,” is the latest initiative from Matter Neuroscience, a New York-based company dedicated to mapping the “biomarkers of happiness.”
NEARLY HALF OF SENIORS IMPROVE WITH AGE — AND RESEARCHERS THINK THEY KNOW WHY
By connecting “two of the loneliest demographics” (older adults and younger adults), the project aims to prove that on a molecular level, “humans need one another in order to be happy,” according to Calla Kessler, a social strategist at Matter Neuroscience.
Along a bustling sidewalk in Boston, a bright yellow payphone invites folks to “Call a Boomer.” (Matter Neuroscience)
“Younger adults and older adults tend to experience the highest levels of loneliness of any age group,” the company wrote on its website. “So the goal of this project is to inspire generational connection through meaningful conversations, despite differences in age, lifestyle or politics.”
GRANDPARENTS WHO BABYSIT THEIR GRANDCHILDREN STAY MENTALLY SHARPER, NEW STUDY REVEALS
The hope, according to Kessler, is that the calls will shift the brain’s focus from stress to bonding.
“Our neuroscience angle is cannabinoids over cortisol,” Kessler told Fox News Digital. “Cannabinoids are the feel-good neurotransmitter in our brain that creates that warm feeling with a friendship — and when you activate cannabinoids, you’re counteracting the negative effects of cortisol, which is our primary stress hormone.”
“Younger adults and older adults tend to experience the highest levels of loneliness of any age group,” the company noted. (Matter Neuroscience)
This isn’t Matter’s first round of payphones. Its initial experiment connected one of the most liberal cities in the U.S. (San Francisco) with one of the most conservative (Abilene, Texas).
“We basically just wanted people to find common ground and encourage people to think beyond labels,” Kessler said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
She noted that the negative results were “almost negligible,” with most participants enjoying their time speaking to different people.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Now, the focus has shifted from political labels to generational divides.
The negative results have beem “almost negligible,” with most participants enjoying their time speaking to different people. (Matter Neuroscience)
As the “Call a Boomer” experiment continues, the team is busy collecting audio files of these intergenerational chats to prove that simple connections with other humans can help improve mental health.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Our research is essentially trying to find a non-pharmaceutical cure to depression,” Kessler added.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Looking ahead, she said, “we’ll definitely be doing fun things that we hope get people’s attention and inspire them to learn a little more about themselves.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
America’s youth have been increasingly abusing common over-the-counter medications, according to poison center records.
A health advisory from America’s Poison Centers, representing 53 poison centers across the country, alerted a “concerning rise” in cases of diphenhydramine abuse among teens ages 13 to 19.
Diphenhydramine is commonly found in allergy and sleep medications such as Benadryl and Zzzquil, as mentioned in the advisory.
PEOPLE TAKING COMMON SLEEP DRUG MAY NOT REALIZE THEY’RE TOO IMPAIRED TO DRIVE, STUDY FINDS
From 2024 to 2025, the total exposure to any substance among teens in this age group reportedly increased by 5.1%.
But cases involving diphenhydramine alone increased more rapidly, from 10,068 to 13,284 cases, a 32% spike.
Thirteen percent of diphenhydramine cases in 2026 have been linked to intentional abuse, an increase from 7.3% in 2020. (iStock)
The trend appears to be continuing into 2026, as the first five months saw 6,179 diphenhydramine-only cases in teens — more than double the prior year.
According to America’s Poison Centers, the exposure appears to be driven by recreational misuse rather than accidental over-medication. Thirteen percent of cases in 2026 were linked to intentional abuse, up from 7.3% in 2020.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Taking diphenhydramine improperly or in large amounts can affect the brain and heart, and can lead to serious or life-threatening effects, the advisory warned.
Diphenhydramine is commonly found in over-the-counter allergy and sleep medications. (iStock)
Some symptoms of diphenhydramine poisoning include drowsiness, agitation, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, dangerous heart rhythm and loss of consciousness.
To avoid overexposure and complications, America’s Poison Centers advises the public to store all medications safely, up high, and out of reach of kids and teens. Label instructions should be followed carefully.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Talk with teens about the risks of misusing medications, including serious health effects and poisoning,” the notice suggested. “Be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of medications.”
Those who suspect misuse should contact the local Poison Control Center immediately.
America’s Poison Centers advises the public to “be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of medications.” (iStock)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Benadryl manufacturer Kenvue commented that the “health and safety of people who use our products is our top priority.”
“The social media trend promoting misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products is extremely dangerous and should be stopped immediately,” a Kenvue spokesperson said. “Our hearts go out to those impacted by the misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“We are working with social media platform safety teams to remove these dangerous posts and help stop this behavior from spreading,” they added. “We are also taking action to educate on the safe use and storage of over-the-counter medicines, including those with the ingredient diphenhydramine.”
“The social media trend promoting misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products is extremely dangerous and should be stopped immediately.”
Mary Leonard, SVP of communications and public affairs for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, called the recent report “deeply concerning.”
“OTC medicines should never be used for recreational purposes, and intentional misuse should not be confused with the safe, effective use of these products,” she told Fox News Digital. “When used as directed, millions of Americans rely on OTC medicines containing diphenhydramine for relief from allergies, cold symptoms, motion sickness, minor skin irritations and occasional sleeplessness.”
“Because misuse of any medication can result in serious health consequences, the Drug Facts label clearly communicates dosing instructions, warnings and other important safety information.”
“OTC medicines should never be used for recreational purposes, and intentional misuse should not be confused with the safe, effective use of these products,” an industry spokesperson said. (iStock)
Kenvue shared the following three steps people can take to help prevent misuse.
- Report content related to this trend on the social media platform where it appears.
- Always store OTC medicines up and away in places children cannot access — preferably in locked cabinets or containers — and never leave medications on counters, bedside tables or in open bags, even temporarily.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions on the label and educate children on safe usage.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Dosing instructions and additional safety information are available on Benadryl.com, and always remember to consult a healthcare professional should you have questions,” the spokesperson added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Zzzquil maker P&G for comment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Top stories
→ Former wrestler, actor reveals breast cancer diagnosis: ‘One in 750 men’
→ TV news anchorman reveals he has Alzheimer’s during final night helming broadcast
Former professional wrestler and actor Tyler Mane announced he has been diagnosed with breast cancer. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Conversation starters
→ Nightly glass of wine may not be as harmless as many people think, study suggests
→ Bride in full wedding gown makes 2-hour hospital trip to see mother before ceremony
Healthy habits
→ Weekly weightlifting sweet spot may be linked to longer life, study finds
→ Americans to get new sunscreen option already used abroad for decades
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
-
Rhode Island4 minutes agoNewport’s fourth annual Juneteenth celebration returns to Fort Adams – What’s Up Newp
-
South-Carolina7 minutes agoSouth Carolina is in for the longest day of year as summer 2026 starts
-
South Dakota12 minutes agoBoard approves higher income limit, higher prices for inmate-built affordable housing
-
Tennessee19 minutes agoVoting rights ruling echoes Tennessee’s Jim Crow past | Opinion
-
Texas22 minutes agoHot and humid Father’s Day for North Texas to kick off summer equinox
-
Washington27 minutes ago
Where to watch Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx on June 21: TV channel, start time and streaming
-
Utah27 minutes agoFirefighters protect homes in Eureka as Iron Fire burns uncontained in Juab County
-
Vermont34 minutes ago
VT Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 20, 2026
