Mah Jongg, or simply “Mahj,” has recently exploded across the country, and in particular, is having a “Minnesota Moment.” And there are many reasons why.
For those unfamiliar, Mahj is a multiplayer tile game that combines strategy and luck. What began in China centuries ago took hold in 1937, when several American Jewish women sought to standardize the rules and founded the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL).
The game that provided rest-and-relaxation back in that era is now also known to slow age-related cognitive decline. Older adults have benefited from playing Mahj for decades, and the medical community has taken note.
The first real correlation between Mahj and health was in a 2004 Hong Kong Observational Study. Research continued when, in 2006, one of the first major exploratory studies focused on Mahj and dementia, suggesting that “[P]laying mahjong significantly improved the cognitive and functional abilities of elderly participants, outperforming some other traditional exercises.”
According to Paul Bendheim, MD, clinical professor of neurology at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, and founder & CEO of BrainSavers, Inc., “The combination of cognitively stimulating hours of play with the socialization aspect is enormous. We now know that people who stay socially engaged are happier, live longer, and have reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.”
Here are several ways Mahj and community work hand in hand.
Improves memory
From the first “Charleston” – the dance of exchanging tiles at the beginning of each game – players are tasked with putting like tiles together, discarding ones they don’t want, all while taking note of what opponents are throwing away.
Winning the game (aka exclaiming “Mah Jongg!”) requires memorization and quick thinking, both of which strengthen short-term and working memory.
Builds new neurons
In or around April of each year, the NMJL releases a new card for players, offering approximately 70 printed hands, ultimately resulting in hundreds of combinations to select from.
The card itself can be overwhelming with its numbers and letters, and a kaleidoscope of colors that literally make no sense upon first glance. But studying the card, memorizing the “hands” (similar to making runs with the same suit, or collecting like numbers in gin rummy), figuring out which options you might pivot to if tiles needed don’t come your way, and recognizing what others are working towards, is precisely the type of activity that creates neuroplasticity (meaning building new brain cells) in your brain.
Reduces loneliness
The former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, declared “loneliness” as an epidemic in 2023, stating, “[W]e need each other…we need to return to the core values of kindness, generosity and friendship that are so essential to the social fabric of our communities.” For Minneapolitans, this idea couldn’t be truer with life-changing events such as COVID-19, George Floyd, and the most recent heartache with Operation Metro Surge. Attending a weekly (or more frequent) game of Mahj strikes a balance between using your brain and combating isolation by bringing friends, family, and neighbors together.
Relieves stress
Life can be stressful at any age. And health professionals warn that chronic stress can increase a body’s cortisol levels, leading to a higher likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Not only that, but research shows that while dementia symptoms may not present until later in life, changes in the brain occur much earlier. Bendheim suggested, “The younger you can start healthy habits, the better. Knowing that changes in the brain occur 20-30 years before symptoms even occur, everything you can do to challenge your brain will bode well for your future.”
Perhaps the stress of life and the need for community are the exact reasons younger players have taken to Mahj. Ruby Livon, 21, began playing during the COVID-19 pandemic in high school. What started as a walking group with several friends on Shabbat progressed into hanging out at one of the friends’ houses as masking and distancing relaxed. Her friend’s mom taught the teens how to play Mahj during their hangouts. Ruby said, “I think at first it was just a way to connect with people. Coming out of COVID and to be able to sit down with people and feel the tactile tiles was really special at the time.”
Asked if she was aware of the cognitive benefits of her pastime, Ruby replied, “I’m not surprised. It’s actually a very complicated game that challenges your brain; it’s like a puzzle and takes logic.” She encourages anyone of any age to play. “Playing Mahj is worth looking into – you’ll be surprised that we don’t really need all the tech of today.”
Ready to get started?
Between Google, Facebook, Insta reels, synagogues, churches, and community centers(The Mayerson JCC has a Mah Jong game as part of its 60-and-better programming), you can likely find a nearby game any day of the week. Simply search for “Maj,” “Mahj,” “Maj Jong,” or the NAML’s actual spelling, “Mah Jongg,” and the algorithm will serve up a plethora of options.
If you prefer to begin with lessons, groups like the Cincy Mahjong Club offer lessons. And our sister podcast on TC Jewfolk recently featured Abbe Blacker, a premier Mah Jongg teacher.
Good luck and good brain health!