Doctors are treating more and more young people with anti-psychotic drugs, according to a new study. But just how much is known about how these drugs work? Another study says one class of psychiatric drugs, antidepressants, may work by making the brain abnormal -- covering up the symptoms they purport to treat. In this hour, we'll examine psychiatric drugs.

Plus, a trio of plant diseases with ominous names -- black pod, frosty pod, and witches' broom -- threatens chocolate production worldwide. One expert says that if frosty pod and witches' broom gain a foothold in West Africa, production of cacao beans, the basis of chocolate, could be reduced by one million metric tons per year, knocking out almost a quarter of the world's cacao crop. What does that mean for our chocolate addiction? Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
David Cohen
Professor, Social Work
Florida International University
Miami, Florida

Jeffrey Lieberman, MD
Director
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Chairman, Psychiatry Department
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York

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Randy Ploetz
Professor, Plant Pathology
Tropical Research and Education Center
University of Florida
Homestead, Florida

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Do Antidepressants Cure or Create Abnormal Brain States?" by Joanna Moncrieff, David Cohen. PLOS Medicine, Vol 3, Issue 7. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030240.

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth