Tramadol is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics, which work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering the perception of pain.
In addition to its pain-relieving properties, tramadol also affects serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, which can contribute to its analgesic effects and may also lead to side effects such as mood changes and increased energy.