Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken ND

Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken ND Katie is a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing at Norfolk Wellness Centre in Guelph, ON.

☕️ “I suffer from anxiety… do I need to give up caffeine?” The short answer: not necessarily.Caffeine affects everyone d...
11/10/2025

☕️ “I suffer from anxiety… do I need to give up caffeine?”
The short answer: not necessarily.

Caffeine affects everyone differently — some people tolerate it well, while others notice their anxiety spike with even small amounts. It’s about finding your threshold.

Here’s what we know ⬇️
Overuse (more than ~200 mg at once or 400 mg/day) is linked to restlessness, nervousness, and increased anxiety — especially if you’re female, adolescent, or have panic tendencies or certain genetics.

Suddenly quitting can backfire too — withdrawal can mimic anxiety symptoms like irritability, fatigue, or a racing heart.

☕️ The sweet spot? Gradually taper, stay hydrated, and track how your body feels. Some people thrive with one morning cup; others feel better switching to green tea or matcha.
This isn’t always about cutting caffeine out, it’s about cutting it back with awareness.

Do you notice a difference in your anxiety when you drink coffee or skip it?

If anxiety is impacting your day to day life, it's worth getting help for. Even if its "not that bad" or "you've been mo...
11/06/2025

If anxiety is impacting your day to day life, it's worth getting help for. Even if its "not that bad" or "you've been more anxious before" Things don't have to get awful before you get help.

11/05/2025

This new research has been making headlines, but is melatonin really bad for your heart?

The complicated truth is always more nuanced than a headline (or even this video!) can explain. Here are some of my thoughts on the science behind the headlines and what I'm thinking about it for my clinical practice.

As always, this isn't medical advice. Always check in with your health care team for advice on your own supplements and the risks and benefits for you.

11/03/2025

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10/30/2025

Standardized inventories like the GAD-7 are used in research and clinical practice to assess anxiety.

Did you catch this episode of episode of The Tranquil Mind?Find "In Defence of Hobbies" on your favourite podcast app ✨
10/28/2025

Did you catch this episode of episode of The Tranquil Mind?

Find "In Defence of Hobbies" on your favourite podcast app ✨

Save this list for your next appointment.
10/27/2025

Save this list for your next appointment.

10/23/2025

The same kind of diet changes we know support your heart health and longevity also have research in anxiety! In this study you can see the improvements I've been noticing for over a decade in participants in the Tranquil Minds Program. You can start the Tranquil Minds Program at home or - for Ontario Residents - by working with me.Send me a DM and lets figure out which option is right for you.

10/21/2025

Sometimes working on our mental health feels hard - especially when we are already struggling. In this episode Dr. Jola Sikorski ND shares her defence of hobbies. Inspired by a presentation in our mental health fellowship group - Jola brings brilliance, humour and a dash of real talk to this inspiring conversation about the benefits that can happen when we let ourselves engage in activities beyond "productivity"

With sensitivity to the challenges that incorporating hobbies have Jola guides us through what a hobby is, why it helps and how to get one (if you aren't sure what your hobby even is!) This episode is full of gems for folks who are working on prevention and resilience building through to anyone having a rougher time these days.

Address

86 Norfolk
Guelph, ON
N1H4J2

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 12pm - 8pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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