Lukas Nelson Says Better Sleep Helped Him Get in the Best Shape of His Life

Lukas Nelson is feeling healthier and stronger than ever — and he says good sleep made all the difference.

The 37-year-old singer-songwriter recently told People that he quit drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana about two years ago. His main reason was simple: both were ruining his sleep.

Nelson said even one drink would badly affect how he slept. Tracking his rest with a WHOOP fitness band helped him see the problem clearly. Once he noticed how poor his sleep became after drinking, he decided it was no longer worth it. Waking up feeling good mattered more.

While he never loved drinking much, quitting marijuana was harder. Still, Nelson said the change helped him face fears he had been avoiding for years. One of those fears was flying. After quitting weed, he pushed himself to get a pilot’s license — something he says he never would have tried before.

Nelson explained that saying no to old habits gave him a new kind of high. Making the right choices, he said, now brings him clarity, confidence and peace.

The musician has been open about the fact that he is not “completely” sober. He has said he still uses mushrooms once or twice a year, but his day-to-day life is now focused on staying clear-headed and healthy.

Nelson is the son of country music legend Willie Nelson, who has long been associated with marijuana. Still, Lukas said his father fully supports his choices and respects individuality above all else. Willie himself has also stopped smoking weed, saying his lungs could no longer handle it, and now only uses edibles occasionally.

Music has played a huge role in Lukas Nelson’s personal growth. He said growing up as the child of a famous musician left him feeling unsure of who he was. Writing and performing music helped him turn that pain into something positive and meaningful.

That journey has now brought father and son to a rare moment in their careers. Both Lukas and Willie Nelson are nominated in the same category — Best Traditional Country Album — at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Lukas is nominated for his debut solo album American Romance, while Willie earned a nod for Oh What a Beautiful World.

Looking back, Nelson says music helped save his life. It gave him purpose, kept him away from darker paths, and helped him become comfortable with who he truly is.