Why can neurotransmitter receptors in the brain not become damaged with excessive use of say drugs, but insulin receptors can become damaged when consuming too much sugar?

Question

Why can neurotransmitter receptors in the brain not become damaged with excessive use of say drugs, but insulin receptors can become damaged when consuming too much sugar?

In: Biology

Answer 1

It’s a common misconception that insulin receptors become damaged by consuming too much sugar. They can however, become damaged by increased levels of fat tissue. The fat cells known as adipocytes secrete inflammatory cells, leading to high levels of systemic inflammation that can damage the insulin receptors reducing the ability for tissues to uptake glucose into the cell. Which leads to hyperglycemia.