It sounds like you don't want nightmares to control you, but you want to control your nightmares. Big difference. Just learn to LD and you can set up situations where you can overcome your obstacles. If you get nightmares, that means you'll just be terrified... not sure how adrenaline could help you when you're not in control. You know that feeling where you try to run away and you just can't because your legs are like rubber? You don't want that. It will just add to your fear.

If you're absolutely committed to having a terrifying (adrenaline-pumping, maybe) experience, take some psychedelics... bad trips are easy to come by, especially if you're looking for them.