Dr Cara Mac Mullin BSc ND

03/09/2026

Perimenopause can significantly change how ADHD shows up.

Many women suddenly notice:
• Brain fog
• Emotional swings
• Poor focus
• ADHD medication not working the same

This isn’t a failure of willpower.

Hormones directly influence the neurotransmitters that drive focus, mood and executive function.

Estrogen supports dopamine and serotonin.
Progesterone influences the brain’s calming GABA system.

When these hormones fluctuate, as they do in perimenopause, ADHD symptoms often intensify.

In Part 2, we’ll explore what happens during perimenopause and how hormonal support can help restore clarity and stability.

Peterborough | Millbrook
Virtual care across Ontario
Link in bio

02/27/2026

02/16/2026

Moments like this are everything.

They pull me out of the noise, the to-do lists, the patient charts, the constant thinking… and remind me exactly why I do what I do.

Family is the anchor. The steady place I return to.

It’s the motivation behind the long days and the heart behind the work.

My practice was built with intention, not to fill my schedule, but to help me stay present. So I can show up regulated, grounded, and connected here first.

Meaningful work matters deeply to me. But these humans? They’re the reason I choose it. Every single time.

Happy Family Day, from my family too yours.
- Dr. Cara MacMullin, ND

02/13/2026

Persistent fatigue isn’t always a sleep problem.

Gut health can influence energy through digestion, nutrient absorption, inflammatory signaling, and gut–brain communication.

Some signs the gut may be part of the picture include feeling unrefreshed after sleep, fatigue that worsens after meals, and relying heavily on caffeine to function.

Addressing fatigue often means looking beyond stress alone and exploring gut health as part of the whole picture.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult to explore gut-related contributors to fatigue.
�📍 Peterborough | Millbrook�📲 Virtual care across Ontario�🔗 Link in bio

02/10/2026

When it comes to gut health, supplements can be helpful - but they’re only part of the picture.

The gut responds strongly to consistency:
�• regular meals�• stable blood sugar�• predictable sleep–wake rhythms�• manageable stress�• ongoing nourishment

Without these foundations, supplements often can’t do the heavy lifting on their own.

Supporting the microbiome is less about doing everything perfectly, and more about small patterns practiced consistently over time.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult if you’d like support building sustainable gut–brain habits that actually stick.
�📍 Peterborough | Millbrook�📲 Virtual care across Ontario�🔗 Link in bio

02/06/2026

Burnout is often framed as a mindset issue - but clinically, it reflects real physiological changes after prolonged stress.

The nervous system, cortisol rhythm, blood sugar regulation, gut health, and inflammation are all commonly involved. This is why simply “resting more” doesn’t always resolve symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, irritability, or low resilience.
Burnout isn’t a personal failure.
�It’s a signal that the body needs support - not just willpower.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult if burnout, fatigue, or stress-related symptoms are affecting your health.
�🔗 Link in bio

02/03/2026

There are ten times more bacterial cells in your body than there are human cells. That means you are more bacteria than you are human! The term for this community of microorganisms is called the microbiome, which includes not only bacteria but also viruses and fungi. Your microbiome weighs between 1-2 kg (!!) and plays a key role in digestion, immune function, inflammation, hormone balance, metabolism, and gut–brain communication.

When the microbiome is disrupted, symptoms can show up far beyond the gut — including fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, hormonal symptoms, and metabolic issues.

This is why I view microbiome health as the absolute foundation of overall health.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult to explore whether gut health may be playing a role in your symptoms.
�📍 Peterborough | Millbrook�📲 Virtual care across Ontario�🔗 Link in bio

01/27/2026

Brain fog isn’t always a brain-only issue.

Gut health plays an important role in cognition through inflammation, neurotransmitter production, and gut–brain communication.

Three gut-related contributors I often see include:
�• gut dysbiosis�• gut barrier dysfunction & LPS translocation triggering neuroinflammation�• low production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)

Supporting the microbiome can be an important step in improving mental clarity — especially when brain fog is persistent or unexplained.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult to explore gut-brain factors affecting your focus and energy.
�📍 Peterborough | Millbrook�📲 Virtual care across Ontario�🔗 Link in bio

01/23/2026

Brain fog is often connected to nutrient status - especially nutrients involved in energy production, oxygen delivery, inflammation balance, and neurotransmitter function.

Iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, zinc, and selenium all play important roles in brain health. When levels are low, mental clarity can suffer.
Because symptoms overlap, testing is often the most helpful way to understand what your brain actually needs - rather than guessing or supplementing blindly.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult to explore whether nutrient testing is appropriate for you.
�🔗 Link in bio

01/20/2026

Many people notice their ADHD symptoms feel harder in winter - and there are real physiological reasons for this.

Shorter days can disrupt circadian rhythm and sleep.
Shorter days can lower serotonin (mood) and dopamine (motivation/reward) levels, intensifying feelings of sadness, irritability, and difficulty initiating tasks.�Lower vitamin D and less movement can affect mood and focus.

ADHD brains are especially sensitive to changes in rhythm and fuel.�The goal isn’t perfection - it’s a few supportive seasonal adjustments.

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult to explore winter strategies for focus, mood, and energy.
�📍 Peterborough | Millbrook�📲 Virtual care across Ontario�🔗 Link in bio

01/16/2026

When it comes to ADHD, nutrition doesn’t need to be complicated - but it does need to be supportive.

One simple rule I often come back to is PFF: Protein + Fiber + Healthy Fat

This combination helps:
�• stabilize blood sugar�• support dopamine and focus�• reduce energy crashes�• improve emotional regulation

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or a snack, building meals around PFF can make your days feel steadier and more manageable.

Here are a few great PFF examples:
• Eggs + sautéed veggies + avocado
• Fish + quinoa + roasted vegetables
• High-protein yogurt + berries + chia or ground flax + nuts

🩺 Book a 10-minute complimentary consult to explore nutrition strategies for ADHD.

📲 Virtual care for Ontario residents�📍 Peterborough & Millbrook�🔗 Link in bio