The American supplement company Modern Warrior has issued a major recall for its 'Ready' range of products, marketed for mental clarity and energy, after tests revealed they contained several undeclared and illegal drug ingredients.
What Was Found in the Supplements?
Testing, though it is unclear whether conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the manufacturer, identified three potent substances in the supplements: tianeptine, 1,4-DMAA, and aniracetam. These were not listed on the product label.
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 for individuals aged 25 and younger, including life-threatening effects like suicidal thoughts.
1,4-DMAA is a banned synthetic stimulant, formerly used as a nasal decongestant. The FDA has prohibited it as an unsafe dietary supplement ingredient due to serious cardiovascular risks, including hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. It is also banned by most major sports organisations.
Aniracetam is a synthetic nootropic compound believed to influence neurotransmitters. While there is some promising animal research, robust clinical trials in healthy humans are severely lacking. It is not an FDA-approved drug.
Scope and Details of the Recall
The recalled 'Body Repair Plan: Mental Clarity' supplement was sold as part of a set retailing for about $170. It was distributed to customers across the United States between April 2022 and December 2025. The recall could affect hundreds of thousands of people.
The product came in 60-count black bottles with gold and black shrink wrap, featuring the gold MW logo and a small sunrise icon next to the word 'READY'.
Modern Warrior, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has ceased all sales. The company has moved the recalled stock to a controlled warehouse area and locked down remaining inventory to prevent accidental sale or shipment. The firm has not made a public statement or issued an advisory on its social media channels.
Risks and Regulatory Context
The FDA states: 'Consumers who have purchased Modern Warrior Ready should stop using the product.'
Risks associated with the undeclared ingredients are severe:
- Overdose risks from tianeptine, heightened by alcohol, include confusion, seizures, and respiratory distress.
- Combining tianeptine with certain antidepressants can cause fatal complications like stroke.
- 1,4-DMAA use can trigger dangerous cardiovascular events.
- Reported side effects of aniracetam, though generally milder, include headaches, nausea, irritability, and insomnia.
This incident highlights a critical gap in consumer protection. Unlike pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements are not subject to FDA pre-market approval. They can be sold without first proving their safety or efficacy. The agency primarily intervenes after a product is on the market, such as when harmful, undeclared ingredients are discovered.
While the recalled product also listed common nootropics like vitamin B12 and ashwagandha, the presence of unapproved drugs underscores the risks in the largely unregulated 'smart drug' market. Even for safer options, documented benefits in human studies are often small, offering only a slight edge rather than the groundbreaking improvements often claimed.
