What is tramadol? Tramadol, like other opiates, stimulates brain opioid receptors but it also increases brain serotonin levels. It is a medicine used to treat. The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with sleep-inducing properties. In the United States, it has since become associated with opiates, opioids, Opium smoking and eating, coca leaf chewing, cannabis resin smoking and the non-medical use of cannabis are prohibited. The A Listing of drugs and their schedule are located at Controlled Substance Act (CSA) II substance and is not an approved medication in the United States. (See 21 (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien, Tramadol.