Health experts are championing an ancient Chinese tile game, beloved by A-list celebrities, for its remarkable ability to enhance brain function and potentially guard against cognitive decline. The game in question is Mahjong, a social and strategic pastime with a history stretching back more than 150 years.
The Science Behind the Tiles: A Defence Against Dementia?
Extensive research has explored how this four-player game, where participants compete to form specific sets of tiles, might help protect the ageing brain. A significant 2020 study conducted by researchers at China's North Sichuan Medical University provided compelling evidence.
The study involved 65 elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment, a known precursor to dementia. After playing Mahjong regularly for 12 weeks, participants showed marked improvement. Their executive function scores, which cover decision-making, planning, and problem-solving, rose by an average of nine percent. Overall cognitive test scores improved by approximately five to ten percent compared to their baseline.
Internal medicine physician Dr Raj Dasgupta is a vocal advocate. He told the Daily Mail that Mahjong is 'great for keeping your brain sharp.' He elaborated, stating it aids 'memory, focus, and problem-solving' and, because it's inherently social, helps 'reduce stress and boost mood.' Dr Dasgupta emphasised that this combination of mental and social activity supports overall brain and body health.
More Than a Solo Puzzle: The Social Edge
Dr Dasgupta points out a key advantage Mahjong holds over solitary brain-teasers like Sudoku or solitaire: its powerful social component. 'Mahjong stands out because it mixes thinking and socializing,' he explained. 'You need to remember patterns, plan moves, and interact with others, all at the same time. That combination works more parts of the brain than games you play alone.'
This social benefit is echoed by Dr Castel Santana, a board-certified family medicine doctor. While noting most research focuses on older adults, he suggested younger generations could also gain cognitively and socially from the game, even if direct scientific evidence for that age group is currently lacking.
A New Generation Discovers an Old Game
Traditionally, Mahjong's player base has skewed older, with studies indicating an average age in the mid-70s. However, a movement is underway to refresh its image. Texas-based entrepreneur Megan Trottier, founder of the brand Oh My Mahjong, is at the forefront of popularising it among younger players.
Her company sells stylish, travel-friendly sets weighing under three pounds, featuring colourful tiles with intricate artwork. Trottier revealed that many of her customers are younger than the archetypal player, driven by a 'craving for more offline connection.'
She cites research indicating benefits can be seen from playing two to three times a week. 'It is just enough to keep your brain actively engaged, but not so much that it becomes a chore,' she said, adding that even a consistent weekly game can make a difference.
The game has received a significant publicity boost from celebrity endorsements. Meghan Markle, 44, shared in her Netflix series that she and her friends have taken up the American version of Mahjong, valuing the experience of learning something new together.
Similarly, Julia Roberts stated in a 2018 interview that playing with friends helps her relax. She poetically described the game as a metaphor for life, a process of 'creating order out of chaos' by assembling randomly drawn tiles into something meaningful.
With scientific backing, celebrity appeal, and a new wave of stylish products, this ancient 'sparrow' game is clicking its way into the modern wellness conversation as a potent tool for a sharper, more socially connected mind.
