Why Playing Mahjong Is Good for Your Mind—and Your Wellbeing

As an American Mahjong player and instructor, I’m often struck by how deeply American Mahjong engages the body, mind, and spirit in a way few other activities do. Over time, I’ve gathered plenty of personal and anecdotal evidence—but one recent experience prompted me to take a closer look.

I was teaching a group of elementary school parents when I learned that the person who organized the group is a neurologist. It occurred to me that if a literal brain scientist—despite an already demanding schedule—had been inspired to learn Mahjong, perhaps my own observations were backed by something more than intuition.

That curiosity led me to the research.

Much of the research on Mahjong comes from Asian countries, where the game is a national pastime played widely across generations. I’d argue that American Mahjong is, in some ways, even more mentally demanding because it relies on the annual card issued by the National Mah Jongg League. Since the card changes every year and determines what counts as a winning hand, players are constantly learning, adjusting, and staying mentally flexible. That built-in novelty helps keep the game engaging—even for people who’ve been playing for decades. In most other respects, however, American Mahjong shares many similarities with Chinese and other versions of the game.

Below are several benefits researchers in China and Japan have identified.

1. Mahjong supports cognitive health

Because Mahjong is so commonly played among older adults in China, researchers have been able to compare cognitive outcomes between people who play regularly and those who don’t. Large, long-term studies show that older adults who play Mahjong tend to have higher overall cognitive scores and experience slower cognitive decline over time.¹

Regular play is linked to sharper reaction time, better focus, and stronger memory and coordination overall.¹ What’s especially notable is that when people reduce or stop playing, cognitive decline appears to speed up—suggesting that staying engaged really does matter.¹

Other studies examining individuals with mild cognitive impairment have found that structured Mahjong play over periods as short as twelve weeks can lead to improvements in executive functioning, which includes skills like planning, flexibility, and decision-making.²

Given the history of cognitive decline in my own family—and perhaps in yours—activities that genuinely challenge and engage the brain as we age are well worth embracing.

2. Mahjong can enhance children’s cognitive development

The brain benefits of Mahjong aren’t limited to older adults. A prospective Japanese study following children between the ages of six and fifteen found a statistically significant increase in full-scale IQ after one year of participating in Mahjong classes.³

Researchers saw particularly strong gains in processing speed and verbal comprehension, suggesting that the game’s demands—memory, visual scanning, pattern recognition, and quick decision-making—help strengthen developing brain networks.³

While genetics certainly play a role in intelligence, this study suggests that learning and playing Mahjong may positively influence cognitive development during childhood.

3. Mahjong supports emotional wellbeing and social connection

As we get older, staying socially connected can become more challenging. Divorce, the loss of a partner, health issues, and children leaving home can all contribute to loneliness, isolation, and even depression.

Mahjong can help here as well. A 2025 study using nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) found that middle-aged and older adults who participated in Mahjong and similar intellectual social games reported higher levels of subjective wellbeing.⁴ The researchers point to the combination of mental stimulation and social interaction as a likely reason.

That’s why when I say, “Learn the game. Discover the joy,” it’s more than a tagline. It reflects what I see again and again at the table: people feeling engaged, connected, and genuinely uplifted by playing together.

A note on research

The information shared here is based on peer-reviewed studies and personal observation, but it is not intended as medical advice. Mahjong should be viewed as a cognitively and socially enriching activity, not as a substitute for medical care or professional guidance.

Sources & Further Reading

1. Zhu, L., Wang, Y., Wu, Y., Wilson, A., Zhou, H., Li, N., & Wang, Y. (2024). Longitudinal associations between the frequency of playing Mahjong and cognitive functioning among older people in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 12:1352433.

2. Cheng, S.-T. et al.; Zhang, H. et al.; Zang, Y. et al. Studies examining Mahjong interventions and executive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

3. Higashijima, T., Akimoto, T., & Sakata, K. (2022). Effect of Mahjong on children’s intelligence quotient. Frontiers in Psychology, 13:934453.

4. Xia, Q. F., Qin, G. Y., Yang, F. L., & Li, Z. (2025). The effect of mahjong/bridge intellectual sports on the subjective wellbeing of middle-aged and older adults: An empirical analysis from CHARLS. Frontiers in Public Health, 13:1552180.