I don't really see how tranquilizers would help with a polygraph exam.  I could be dead wrong but given several certain aspects of the exam it seems it would almost work against you.

The first problem is the fact that if you are not responsive (i.e. attentive) enough for the polygrapher he may decide not to test you that day or at all if he believes you intentionally sedated yourself.  Keep in mind that you will be sitting down for a good 30-60 minutes during the pre-test interview with the examiner.  Unless you can somehow manage to know exactly when the effects of the tranquilizer will be apparent and time that to when you are put in the chair, the examiner will know right away that you are under the influence of something.   

Secondly, whether you plan on using countermeasures or not, I would be worried that tranquilizers would prevent me from clearly discerning control from relevant questions and producing an appropriate reaction.  If you intend to lie (which, if you are, you shouldn't be sitting for a polygraph exam) the tranquilizer may reduce the physiological reaction your body displays to the relevant questions that you are lying about.  However, you will most likely be completely without natural responses to the control questions.  At best an inconclusive result.  Like I said, I wouldn't rely on other types of countermeasures while sedated.

Bottom line, I wouldn't try it.  Others might stand behind medicinal countermeasures (e.g. anti-anxiety NOT tranquilizers, blood pressure medication, etc.) but I personally feel it is a serious risk.  Tales have been told of examiners even asking for blood samples before the exam anyway.  Who knows where that could lead.  If you are planning on lying, just don't take the test.  If you are just worried about a false positive (which you should be), I would focus on physical countermeasures but also look into cognitive countermeasures, they can be quite effective.  Good luck.

Note:  I'm assuming that we are talking about a "standard" CQT for perhaps pre-employment screening purposes.  If otherwise, much of what I said may not apply.

It's unfortunate that this is the case, but you really need to be more careful about what you post in a public forum. Although not your concern, someone may read the above post and actually believe that a)taking Xanax might help him/her pass a polygraph and b)taking Xanax strictly to pass a polygram exam is safe.  Wrong on both counts.  What follows are a few tidbits of information regarding Xanax:

• "The most commonly reported side effects in clinical trials were drowsiness, fatigue, impaired coordination, irritability, light-headedness, memory impairment, insomnia, and headache."
  
  -->Now, in the unfortunate event that any of these side effects might occur, do you really think you're going to fool a polygraph examiner that has access to this information just as I do?  Drowsiness, impaired coordination, memory impairment?  That's a bit more than what you describe:  "They dont put you to sleep merely relax you to a slight degree."
• "Until you experience how the medication affects you, do not drive a car or operate hazardous machinery."
  
  -->Same basic point.  It's not as simple as you seem to be implying.   
• "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly or decrease the dose without consulting your physician, since discontinuation symptoms may occur."
  
  -->When a medication comes with this type of warning, that should tell you something right there - it's not at all appropriate to use it for something other than what it is PRESCRIBED for (i.e. a polygraph examination vs. panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.)

 

All of this information was easily found through five minutes of Internet research (find it here:  http://www.anxietyinfo.com/content.asp?id=4&sid=1).  I would say, given the information above, it really is not an appropriate medicinal countermeasure to be used in an attempt to pass a polygraph examination.  Your simple-minded implication that it in fact would be appropriate is dangerous and ignorant.

Your explanation of Xanax from the perspective of its use as a medicinal countermeasure fails to take several things into consideration:  it is a prescription medication, meaning that unless your doctor has prescribed it due to a justifying condition being present, using it to pass a polygraph examination would constitute the user being illegaly in possession of a prescribed medication.  Not a great leg to start on when getting ready to sit for a polygraph.  Secondly, your implied notion that this is a pill that you can just "pop" for the polygraph exam and then just discontinue use is ridiculous.

My point:  don't talk out of your ass.  If you're going to post something as "more of a research item" then you should do a bit of research yourself.  Information like this is dangerous.

As a contribution to your much needed research, Xanax falls within a group of minor tranquilizers called benzodiazepines. This type of medication does not "normalise" to any degree.  They are actually central nervous system depressants and typically at a minimum will create a sense of mild euphoria that will be very unlike your described "normal" state.  As you stated, these medications can be extremely addictive even at prescribed dosages and without abuse.

Bottom line, the information within your post is dead-wrong.  I responded to your "bit of a quandry" with helpful information and you chose to basically brush it off and enlighten us with your skewed perspective and limited knowledge of todays "very specific designer drugs."   

All of the quoted information in this post was found in the time it took to type out this reply.  Next time, try it for yourself before you post bad information.

Hello,
I took the polygraph twice -- once with nothing, and once with a prescribed benzo (Klonipin) with the full knowledge of my polygrapher. I'm not really sure how the results differed -- according to the polygrapher I did terribly in both, but I ended up passing the process overall, so I really don't know. My personal impression was that the benzo probably didn't have much of an effect on "passing" or not, but did make the experience a whole lot less traumatic. I wasn't as rattled by the polygrapher's spazzy accusations or hostility... (and maybe this helped me pass?) I don't know. Also, I didn't use any countermeasures or have anything to lie about. But again, the polygrapher knew what I was taking, so I guess they don't think it has much of an influence on outcome. Or as I suspect, polygraphers probably know (as anyone with just a bit of education and curiosity can find out) that the "scientific" part of polygraphy is just a joke. The reason polygraphs "work" and are still useful, is that they terrify people and evoke admissions. (It probably doesn't even matter if the machine is realy on.) I have to admit--even taking a benzo -- I was still pretty intimidated! I guess they are professionals at that...

Get over it Mr. Hostility... geez... Thank you to the other guest who responded with a personal experience, I was kinda wondering the same thing to. I want to apply as a police officer, but I did a few drugs when I was younger. I don't do any now, well except for my addiction to espresso... lol, but I am afraid to admit it and get disqualified. I was thinking about sticking a tac in my shoe to screw up the control questions, but is it really worth it?? I don't think I will try the stress relieving drugs, maybe I'll just go in and say no to everything.... who knows. 
Thanks!
d.p.