Do I Have to Start Medication Right Away? A Different Approach to Early Parkinson’s Care
By The Parkinson’s Project Foundation
When You’re First Diagnosed with Parkinson’s...
Everything changes in an instant. A diagnosis—especially Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD)—can trigger fear, confusion, and a flood of questions. One of the first is often:
“Do I need to start medication right away?”
At The Parkinson’s Project Foundation, we hear this every day. And while we don't offer medical advice, we do believe in something too many people are missing: informed choice. You have more options than you think.
The Conventional Path: Meds, Therapy, and Surgery
After diagnosis, most neurologists will recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Levodopa (Sinemet) – The most commonly prescribed treatment to replace lost dopamine
Dopamine Agonists – Mimic dopamine’s effects in the brain
MAO-B Inhibitors / COMT Inhibitors – Extend the effect of existing dopamine
Anticholinergics / Amantadine – Used for tremor or dyskinesia
Referrals often follow for:
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
And in some cases, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery
But across the country, patients receive conflicting advice.
Some doctors say, “Start medication immediately.” Others say, “Wait as long as you can—especially if you’re young.”
There is no universal standard, and that leaves people scrambling to make life-altering decisions with little clarity.
You Don’t Have to Rush: You Have Time
Many people aren’t told this:
Parkinson’s symptoms often progress slowly
Medications manage symptoms but do not stop the disease
Early use of meds may lead to earlier onset of side effects
Many people—especially those with YOPD—have chosen to delay medication and explore other tools first
We're not saying don't take the medication. We're saying:
You deserve time to understand your options and choose your path.
Exploring a Different Path: Plant Medicine and Lifestyle Healing
For those not ready to jump into pharmaceuticals—or wanting to take a more integrative route—there are other natural, science-backed tools to support your body, brain, and quality of life.
🌿 Plant Medicine: Beyond Psychedelics
Plant medicine is much more than just cannabis or psychedelics. It includes a wide spectrum of healing botanicals, adaptogens, functional fungi, and traditional plant allies that support neurological health, emotional regulation, and inflammation reduction.
🌱 Herbal Botanicals & Adaptogens
These non-psychoactive plants have been used for centuries across cultures and are gaining interest for their role in supporting Parkinson’s-related symptoms:
Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) – Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; may protect dopamine neurons
Saffron – Shown to support mood, cognition, and oxidative stress
Ashwagandha – An adaptogen for stress, anxiety, and nervous system balance
Rhodiola Rosea – Enhances energy, focus, and stress resilience
Turmeric (Curcumin) – Potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba – Supports circulation and may protect cognitive function
Gotu Kola – Traditional brain tonic for nerve regeneration and mental clarity
Holy Basil (Tulsi) – For calming the nervous system and regulating stress hormones
Ginger & Peppermint – For gut health, nausea, and calming inflammation
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea/EGCG) – Neuroprotective polyphenols that support brain health
🍄 Functional Mushrooms (Fungi, but often included in plant medicine frameworks)
Lion’s Mane – Promotes nerve growth factor and neurogenesis
Reishi – Helps with stress, sleep, and immune modulation
Cordyceps – Supports energy, stamina, and mitochondrial function
Chaga & Turkey Tail – Rich in antioxidants and immune-supportive beta-glucans
Joe takes a daily functional mushroom protocol as part of his natural regimen and has experienced benefits in energy, cognition, and inflammation.
🌌 Psychedelic & Psychoactive Plant Medicines (Still emerging in research)
Cannabis (CBD + THC) – Used for anxiety, stiffness, sleep, pain, and mood
Psilocybin – Studied for neuroplasticity, depression, and emotional reset
Ibogaine – Investigated for trauma healing, clarity, and brain reset
These powerful compounds are not appropriate for everyone and should only be considered in legal, supervised, and intentional settings.
💊 Natural Supplementation That Supports Brain and Body Health
In addition to herbs and plant medicines, many people with Parkinson’s support their journey through high-quality supplementation. Joe’s supplement stack has been a key part of his progress.
🧠 Examples of Supportive Supplements:
CoQ10 / Ubiquinol – Mitochondrial support
Magnesium Threonate – Crosses the blood-brain barrier for brain calm and focus
L-Theanine – Supports relaxation and balances excitatory signals
Vitamin D3 + K2 / B12 & B-Complex – Foundational nervous system support
Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) – For brain function and inflammation
Curcumin + Piperine – Enhances bioavailability and fights oxidative damage
Glutathione / NAC – Supports detoxification and antioxidant defense
Adaptogenic mushroom blends – For overall resilience and immune modulation
Joe also juices daily with anti-inflammatory and nutrient-dense ingredients like greens, ginger, turmeric, beets, and other anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables to support gut health, energy, and overall detox.
Joe’s Story: Taking a Breath Before Taking the Meds
When Joe was diagnosed with YOPD, every doctor had a different opinion. Some urged him to start medication immediately. Others suggested he wait. No one offered more than a prescription and a pat on the back. No one helped him explore a different path.
So he paused.
He began researching with his wife. He cleaned up his diet even more. He started juicing. He leaned into functional mushrooms, supplements and plant medicine. He exercised daily. He listened to his body and continued to explore alternatives like acupuncture, etc.
And slowly, his body began to respond. He got better—not cured, but stronger. It hasn’t been easy—but it’s been powerful.
His story isn’t one-size-fits-all. But it’s one more example that there is another way—and you're allowed to find it.
Follow along on Joe’s Journey, here.
You Have a Choice. You Deserve Support.
A Parkinson’s diagnosis is not the end. And it’s not the beginning of a medication regimen you have to follow blindly. If you’re not ready for meds, that’s okay. If you want to try everything else first, that’s okay. If you want to combine conventional and alternative care, that’s more than okay—it’s powerful. And you don’t have to do this alone. We are here to help you find your way.
At The Parkinson’s Project Foundation, we’re building the resource we wish we had at diagnosis. We are committed to:
Educating and supporting people exploring alternative paths
Breaking down stigma around plant-based medicine and natural healing
Advocating for better research, better access, and better options
Final Thoughts
If you’ve just been diagnosed, pause. Take a deep breath.
Ask questions. Take your time. Get support. Find the path that feels right to you. And know—you are not alone.
Together, we can change the way Parkinson’s is recognized, treated, and lived with.
