On a brisk November day, an unusual gathering unfolded in Coventry, England, renowned for its history of hosting artists like Oasis, Rihanna, and Harry Styles. However, this time, it played host to speedcubing enthusiasts at the Rubik’s UK Championship. The event drew an impressive crowd of approximately 500 participants, with some traveling from as far away as Mongolia and Canada to participate in the excitement surrounding these twisting, multi-colored puzzle cubes.
The arena was transformed into a vibrant landscape of tables, with diverse speedcubing competitions spanning three days. Various events presented unique challenges, such as solving puzzles one-handed or blindfolded. Among the standout competitors was teenager James Alonso, who achieved remarkable success in the classic 3×3 cube event, completing the average solve time of 6.3 seconds—a remarkable feat in the world of speedcubing that has seen its fame since its inception in the 1980s.
The Rubik’s Cube itself, invented by Ernő Rubik in 1974, initially posed a complex challenge that took the inventor about a month to solve. Today, however, the current world record stands at an astonishing 3.13 seconds, set by American speedcuber Max Park. The rapid growth in speedcubing’s popularity is marked by an astonishing 412,000 active participants in competitions worldwide, alongside significant sales—$86.6 million in Rubik’s Cube products in 2023, marking a 13.5% increase from the previous year after being acquired by the Canadian company Spin Master in 2021.
Researchers have begun to explore the psychological benefits associated with speedcubing, indicating that crafting strategies, connecting socially, and achieving personal milestones may enhance one’s overall happiness. According to Polina Beloborodova, a research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Centre for Healthy Minds, “Speedcubing offers a unique combination of cognitive challenge, social connection, and personal achievement that contributes to happiness.” This at its core delves deeper into human emotions, far surpassing a fleeting dopamine rush.
The psychological appeal of speedcubing lies within its complexity, aligning with fundamental human desires for accomplishment and control. Dr. Beloborodova highlighted that the process of solving cubes fulfills the well-established psychological need for mastery—a feeling of effectiveness tied to cognitive demands like problem-solving, memory, and spatial reasoning.
Dr. Julia Christensen from the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics also notes how solving these puzzles can evoke deeper feelings of joy. She explains that “awe, beauty, and being moved” during the interaction with the cube yield experiences that significantly uplift one’s mood. Many enthusiasts describe the moment as a state of “flow,” characterized by minimal distractions and clear objectives, leading to a deeply immersive experience akin to mindfulness.
Furthermore, studies suggest that individuals who frequently enter this state of flow exhibit better mental health, structural organization of thoughts, and a sense of purpose related to accomplishment. Nicholas Archer, a 17-year-old speedcuber emphasizes this flow state, noting that his actions are almost instinctual during competitions, making it feel effortless and automatic.
However, it’s essential to recognize that speedcubing’s benefits are most potent when shared socially. Dr. Adil Khan from King’s College London asserts that while speedcubing individually can heighten happiness, integrating it into social frameworks enhances these benefits substantially. As participants gather in competitions or community settings, a shared enthusiasm fosters connection, motivation, and joy, amplifying the experience and commitment to the art of cubing.
This delightful paradox where a complex, challenging activity can instill a sense of community speaks volumes about the nature of human connection. The Cube not only provides a canvas for individual prowess but also serves as a medium for strengthening familial ties—evidenced by Jan Hammer, who started cubing alongside his daughter, thereby enhancing their bond and motivating one another through participation in competitions.
Interestingly enough, demographics reveal that children and teenagers make up a significant portion of the speedcubing community. Competitions frequently feature participants as young as six years old alongside mostly male competitors. Nevertheless, this activity champions a sense of accomplishment offering not just joy — considered ‘hedonic well-being’ — but also meaning and resolve associated with ‘eudemonic well-being,’ both of which are crucial for psychological wellness.
Importantly, while speedcubing works wonders for happiness, its effects on cognitive function remain a complex landscape. Although solving the cube requires mental engagement, experts warn that it may not contribute to long-term mental improvement or delay cognitive decline. Research shows that while engaging in intellectual challenges may elevate one’s cognitive baseline, it doesn’t necessarily slow age-related cognitive decline.
In today’s frenetic world, speedcubing offers an escape, drawing practitioners into a focused realm where chaotic and multifaceted puzzles transform into order through mastery. This transition from disorder to structure resonates deeply with human aspirations, accommodating our innate desire to impose systematic order in an inherently chaotic