The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has triggered a significant product recall for a popular cognitive enhancement supplement, following the discovery of multiple undeclared and illegal pharmaceutical ingredients. Modern Warrior, a supplement company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been forced to pull its 'Ready' supplements from the market.
Dangerous Undeclared Ingredients Found
Testing, though it is unclear whether conducted by the FDA or the manufacturer, revealed that the supplements contained three potent substances not listed on the label. These are tianeptine, 1,4-DMAA, and aniracetam.
Tianeptine is a synthetic antidepressant that acts on opioid receptors. It carries a high risk of addiction and overdose and is illegal to sell as a prescription drug in the United States. The FDA warns it poses significant dangers, particularly to individuals aged 25 and younger, with risks including life-threatening suicidal thoughts or actions.
1,4-DMAA is a banned synthetic stimulant, once used as a nasal decongestant. The FDA has prohibited it as an unsafe dietary supplement ingredient due to serious cardiovascular risks like hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. It is also banned by most major sports organisations.
Aniracetam is a synthetic nootropic compound. While there is some promising animal research, robust clinical trials proving its efficacy and safety in healthy humans are severely lacking. It is not an FDA-approved drug.
Widespread Distribution and Recall Details
The recalled product, Modern Warrior's 'Body Repair Plan: Mental Clarity' supplement, was sold as part of a set retailing for about $170. It was distributed to customers nationwide between April 2022 and December 2025.
The recall could affect hundreds of thousands of people, though the FDA has not provided a precise estimate. The supplements came in 60-count black bottles with gold and black shrink wrap, featuring a gold MW logo and a small sunrise icon next to the word 'READY'.
Modern Warrior has ceased all sales, and the product is no longer available on its website. The company has moved the recalled inventory to a controlled, locked area in its warehouse to prevent accidental sale or shipment. The firm has not issued a public statement or advisory on its social media channels.
Risks of Unregulated Supplements and Consumer Advice
This incident highlights the regulatory gap for dietary supplements. Unlike prescription drugs, these products do not require FDA pre-market approval for safety or efficacy. The agency typically intervenes only after a product is on the market and problems are identified.
The FDA's message is clear: 'Consumers who have purchased Modern Warrior Ready should stop using the product.' Risks from the hidden ingredients are severe. Tianeptine overdose, heightened by alcohol, can cause confusion, seizures, and respiratory distress. Combining it with certain antidepressants can be fatal.
While the supplement's label listed common nootropics like vitamin B12 and ashwagandha, the presence of unapproved pharmaceuticals turns a wellness product into a significant health hazard. Experts caution that even for legitimate 'smart drugs', documented benefits in human studies are often slight, not the groundbreaking improvements sometimes claimed.
The investigation into how these drugs entered the pills, whether intentionally or through contamination, is ongoing.
