Short answer: not if the study is conducted by an APA certified expert. The long answer requires understanding what counter-methods are circulating on the internet (breathing, muscle contraction, drugs, alcohol, the mythical "think about something else"), why they don't work on professional equipment, and why trying to use them is futile. immediately detected. An article based on real practice - in 369-Agent We regularly encounter clients who have „prepared” by watching YouTube videos, and we regularly discover their counter-methods.
Where do the myths about "cheating the polygraph" come from?„
YouTube videos, online forums, scenes in Hollywood action movies—all these sources feed the belief that polygraphs can be "fooled" with simple techniques. Most of this information dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, when analog equipment was truly primitive and examiners often lacked proper training. Modern digital polygraphs (Lafayette LX5000, Stoelting, Axciton) along with APA protocols and certified examiners eliminate the 99% of classic counter-methods. But clients still try—and we regularly detect these attempts.
The Five Most Common Attempts at Counter-Methods—and Why They Don't Work
1. Breathing control
The most popular method from YouTube: "control your breathing - inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4". Why it doesn't work: two pneumographs (on the chest and abdomen) record not only the respiratory rate, but also the proportion, depth, and rhythmic pattern. Consciously controlled breathing has a completely different pattern than natural — it is "too regular," "too rhythmic." The APA expert immediately sees such a pattern and interprets it as an attempt at a countermethod. The result: the opinion "the subject used countermethods" — which in practice means the same as "a lie.".
2. Muscle contraction (sphincter contraction)
The second popular myth: "tighten your buttock muscles or sphincters on the control question to make your reaction stronger than on the relevant question.". Why it doesn't work: The seat's motion sensor is so sensitive that it detects even microscopic muscle tension. APA experts are trained to identify counter-movement patterns. Furthermore, attempting to counter at specific moments is itself a suspicious pattern.
3. Pressing your toes into the floor / pin in your shoe
A classic from the movies: "hide a pin in your shoe, press your finger on it at the right moment so that the pain disrupts the reaction.". Why it doesn't work: The motion sensor detects the pressing. The very fact that someone is trying such counter-methods sends strong signals that "the subject is lying and knows it, that's why they're trying to cheat." In the history of polygraph testing, there is no documented case in which someone successfully concealed a lie using the pushpin method from an APA-certified examiner.
4. Sedatives and alcohol
„I’ll take a Xanax before the test so I don’t react.”. Why it doesn't work: Suppressing a physiological response with a drug invalidates it. whole The examination—not just the relevant questions, but all of them. The expert sees after the first control questions that the reactions are inadequately weak. Result: the examination ends with the opinion "subject in a disturbed state, the result is unreliable, substance use suspected." Money spent on the session—without a reliable result. Furthermore, the expert is obligated to inform the client of the diagnosis of a disorder. The full list of substances that invalidate the examination: contraindications to polygraph examination.
5. "Think about something else when asking"„
A myth from Hollywood movies: "when they ask you about stealing, think of a nice vacation in Bali.". Why it doesn't work: The physiological response doesn't depend on what you're thinking at the time—it depends on whether the question topic is meaningful to you. If the theft actually occurred and is emotionally significant to you (which it is if you fear detection), it will trigger an autonomic nervous system response regardless of "conscious thoughts." Attempted conscious control doesn't affect GSR or blood pressure measurements.
More Advanced Counter-Methods - and What Makes Them Different
Several techniques are described in the literature that have historically had some effectiveness (primarily in the older Reid and CIT protocols). However, all of them require months of specialized training under expert supervision—something no one does "for fun" before a private examination. Furthermore, modern APA protocols with the ESS (Empirical Scoring System) effectively neutralize even these advanced techniques by incorporating all four measurement channels (cardiac, respiratory, GSR, movement) and multiple repetitions of the series.
What do experts do when they detect a counter-method attempt?
The procedure is clear:
- First attempt: The expert pauses the measurement and indicates to the subject that he has detected a counter-method. He explains why it should not be used. The measurement resumes.
- Second attempt: The expert pauses again. Asks if the subject understands. Resumes measurement.
- Third attempt: The expert concludes the examination. In his opinion, he writes: "the examined person used counter-methods, the result was unreliable, and there is suspicion of concealing the truth.".
From the perspective of the person commissioning the investigation (e.g., a partner in an infidelity case, an employer in a corporate case), the opinion "counter-methods detected" is practically as unambiguous as "a lie detected." A conscious attempt at deception is a message in itself.
What really reduces the effectiveness of the study
The effectiveness of the polygraph decreases — but not because of counter-methods, but because of external conditions:
- Medications taken long-term (antidepressants, antihypertensives, antianxiety medications) — without expert information, they can distort interpretation. With information, this can be taken into account.
- State of extreme exhaustion (e.g. after 36 hours without sleep) — the body's physiology is disturbed.
- Fresh, strong emotions before the session (argument, phone call with bad news) — the baseline is artificially raised.
- Ambiguous questions — it's the expert's fault, but it results in a rubbish result.
Are there people who are „immune” to the polygraph?
Two categories of people do pose a challenge to the polygraph, but are not „immune”:
Clinical psychopaths
Individuals with full-blown antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy, approximately 1% of the population) have a disturbed autonomic nervous system response to lying—they lack the normal stress response to the consequences of deception. The accuracy of the polygraph for such individuals drops to 60-70%. However, a clinical diagnosis of psychopathy requires a full psychiatric evaluation (Hare PCL-R test)—it's not enough to "think of yourself as composed.".
People who actually believed their own lie
If someone has so deeply repressed reality that they subjectively believe their lie to be the truth, a polygraph will not detect the discrepancy, because physiologically there is none. But such situations are rare in practice and would require prolonged autosuggestion or a serious dissociative disorder.
The stupidest counter-method attempts we've ever seen
From our practice:
- A client who took Xanax 30 minutes before a session „for nerves” – we refused to test her.
- Customer with a "signal blocking" wristband - the wristband wasn't blocking anything.
- Client who "meditated" throughout the session - clearly artificial breathing pattern, opinion: counter-method.
- A client who previously took stimulant pills "so that the reactions to every question would be the same" - cardiac pattern in a state of tachycardia, opinion: disturbed state.
- Customer with shoe full of thumbtacks - motion sensor detected every press, opinion: counter-method.
Practical advice - the best strategy
If you're telling the truth, don't be pretentious. Simply answer "yes" or "no," sit still, and breathe normally. The polygraph will detect the truth.
If you're lying, trying to deceive won't help. Any attempt will be detected. A better strategy is to seriously consider whether you even want to take the test—if not, you have every right to refuse.
A professional exam isn't war—it's a diagnostic tool. It works best when both parties play fair. If you're planning an exam, read the guide instead of the "cheating" tips. how to prepare for a polygraph examination — this will give you much more.
Summary
A professional-level polygraph with an APA-certified examiner is virtually immune to classic counter-methods. Any attempt—from a breath check to a shoe pin—is immediately detected and interpreted as an attempt at deception. Effectiveness 87-98% applies to both people who "don't try" and those who "try but can't.". Price-list. First contact: phone or WhatsApp.
See also: How does a polygraph work? · How to prepare · Contraindications · Sample questions